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“ HELLO, PUMPKIN MAN,” WAS BILLY’S CORDIAL GREETING. 


KUftnWmgyvA. Wtw^U .... 


BILLY WHISKERS 
AT THE FAIR 


By 

F. G. WHEELER 



Drawings by ARTHUR DeBEBIAN 


THE SAALFIELD PUBLISHING COMPANY 

New York 


AKRON, OHIO 


Chicago 




COPYRIGHT, 1909 

*7 

The Saalpield Publishing Company 



WADE dY 

THE WERNER COMMNY 

AMMON, OMN> 



CONTENTS 


CHAPTER PAGE 

I. The Automobile Arrives 9 

II. Fair Day Dawns 25 

III. In the Needlework Exhibit 39 

IV. The Baby Show 51 

V. The Balloon Man 61 

VI. The Fortune Teller 71 

VII. The Laughing Gallery 81 

VIII. Billy Has an Encounter 93 

IX. A Night with the Duke 99 

X. Toppy to the Fore 107 

XI. Threatened with Lockjaw 12 1 

XII. The Pumpkin Man 13 1 

XIII. A Triumphant Home-Coming 141 

XIV. The Reward 155 



ILLUSTRATIONS 


PAGE 

“Hello, Pumpkin Man,” was Billy's cordial greeting . Frontispiece 
Whack! resounded a broomstick on Billy’s broad back . . 21 


Billy landed in a great tub of water 45 

Louder and louder came the shouts of his pursuers ... 65 


“I geeve you von neekle alreaty. Now you say anodder?” . 85 

There peeping from behind the skirts of the second woman 

was a handsome goat 133 






CHAPTER I 

THE AUTOMOBILE ARRIVES 

| a l FFAIRS at Cloverleaf Farm had been running very smoothly 
for a month or more. School had begun, the boys were 
occupied with studies and so well out of mischief’s way for 
five hours each day. Summer crops had been harvested, 
the bam was bursting with the sweet-scented hay, the well-filled 
silo promised many a juicy meal for the farmyard inhabitants dur- 
ing the approaching winter months, and in the fields the pumpkins 
lay like huge nuggets of pure gold, with the shocks of com standing 
guard over their richness. 

Billy Whiskers, as you will remember, had returned from his 
long travels with the Circus, the troupe of monkeys had come and 
gone, and the Farm was left in comparative quiet. 

Yet under the outward calm there was a vague uneasiness, and 
a strange restlessness was apparent among the boys, which at times 
infected even the older members of the Treat household. All this 
was proven conclusively because Billy Whiskers and his gaily-painted 
cart were neglected, and catalogs had held much more interest than 
outdoor sports for the last week or more. 


9 



Billy IVhiskers at the Fair 


But such a condition of things could not last very long. One 
fine afternoon when the sun was casting long, slanting rays across 
the fields, and there was the soft haziness of first October days in 
the air, Tom, Dick and Harry were passing the Comers on their 

way home from school when the post- 
master, a genial old fellow, hailed 
them from his seat on a crack- 
er barrel in front of the store. 

“Here, boys, wait a min- 
ute. There’s a postal for your 
father, and the new automo- 
bile is a-comin’, all right, all 
right!” 

“Hooray!” shouted Tom, 
s he leaped up the steps. 

“Hur -rah\” exulted Harry, a 
-close second. 

0 “H^r-rah!” echoed Dick, as 
: was dragged along, for the small- 
the Treat boys tugged at Harry’s 
hand, determined to be on the scene with his older brothers. 

Three pairs of eager hands reached through the narrow little 
window of the board partition which served to divide the post-office 



io 


Billy Whiskers at the Fair 

from the general store, but agile Tom secured the coveted prize and 
was away, out of the store and off up the dusty road like a flash. 

“Father, father, look here! ,, breathlessly shouted the trio, 
as they turned into the yard and drew up at the front porch 
steps. 

Father and Mother Treat hurried to the veranda to learn the 
cause of all this wild commotion, and their faces wreathed in smiles 
at the welcome news that the auto was on its way. 

“When do you think it’ll get here?” 

“Will you let me drive her?” 

“I may, mayn’t I, papa?” 

The beleaguered father shook off the eager questioners with: 

“Now, boys, the card says that the machinist who is to deliver 
the automobile will probably arrive to-morrow afternoon. I think 
we’ll have to make it a holiday, so you will be on hand when it 
comes.” 

“Now, father,” remonstrated Mrs. Treat quickly, “that is un- 
wise. They’d much better be in school.” 

“Tut, tut, mother! Boys must have some good times, I think.” 

“Oh, father, do let us!” petitioned the boys, and a cheery nod 
satisfied them that the victory was theirs. 

Very little indeed was accomplished by the Treat boys the next 
morning, and kind Miss Clinton, their teacher, was at a loss for 


Billy IVhiskers at the Fair 

an explanation of the wriggling, twisting and manifest uneasiness 
possessing them. 

Tom was detected in the act of attempting to communicate with 
Harry, the note was confiscated by Miss Clinton, and Tom himself 
straightway sent to the platform, where he whiled away the dreary, 
lagging moments by driving an imaginary automobile 
over the hills at a terrific speed, 
much to the envy of his school- 
mates. 

“Ill ask everyone of ’em to 
ride, except Miss Clinton,” he pon- 
dered, planning revenge for 
his present predicament. 
‘And then I guess she’ll 
wish she hadn’t punished 

Noon came at last, as all noons 
do, and then the note was presented 
to Miss Clinton by little Dick, though by this time it was 
very much* the worse for frequent fingering. The little fellow had 
not been able to keep his hands off the precious thing for longer 
than five minutes at a time. First he had to make sure that it 
really was in his pocket. Then again he took just one peep inside 



12 



Billy Whiskers at the Fair 

to reassure himself that it asked that he and his brothers be excused 
from the afternoon session. Each time he took it out, he patted it 
lovingly, and therefore it now bore many a print of chubby and very 
smudgy finger tips. 

Miss Clinton’s consent was readily given, for rules in the country 
districts are not so iron-clad as in the more crowded city schools, 
and away hastened the boys for the noonday meal at home. 

It proved to be rather a tempestuous one, and Mrs. Treat was 
glad indeed when chairs were pushed back from the board and the 
restive group betook themselves to the wide, shady veranda. It 
commanded a splendid view of the road toward Springfield, for it 
mounted a gradual ascent of a mile or more before it scurried over 
and down again in its eagerness to reach the city. 

“I wonder what Billy will do when he sees the machine,” piped 
up little Dick, as they settled themselves comfortably in hammock 
and in spacious, comfortable porch chairs. 

'‘Well, he has seen plenty of autos go by here, and after all his 
experiences with the Circus this summer, he ought to behave, I’m 
sure,” said Mrs. Treat uneasily, for she was never quite sure that 
she understood Billy and all his varying moods. 

Now Billy overheard this remark, for he was just around the 
comer of the house, on the outside cellar door, this being his favorite 
spot on warm afternoons. 


*3 


Billy IVhiskers at the Fair 

In fact, he was very fond of luxury, and always took a siesta 
after a hearty meal and during the heated portion of the day. 

“Don’t be too sure of that, Mrs. Treat,” soliloquized mischiev- 
ous Billy. “I am not so old yet that I shall rest content without 
occasional adventures. I really believe I am beginning to be a 
trifle bored, now that I think of it. Nothing interesting has hap- 
pened in this countryside for a whole month, and it is high time 
that I stir up the community a bit. It really seems too ba — ” 

“He’s coming! He’s coming!” shouted Tom. “Just over the 
hill! Don’t you see him?” 

And the three boys, unable to control their delight, pranced 
around, threw their caps high into the air, and then raced down 
to the gate. 

“Look at her go! Bet she can make thirty miles an hour,” 
predicted Harry. 

“She is surely plowing through the sand in great style,” said 
Tom, as the automobile reached the flats and struck the heavy sand 
of the bottoms. 

“I’m a-goin’ to sit on the front seat,” announced Dick con- 
fidently, hanging over the gate and swinging back and forth. 

“Oh, no, you’re not, sonny! I am, you know,” declared patron- 
izing Harry, but Tom, the deliberate, silenced them both. 

“You’ll neither of you sit on the front seat. Babies belong back 


Billy TFhiskers at the Fair 

in the tonneau with their mother, and that’s just where you’ll be, 
youngsters. Father and I will sit in front, you’ll see.” 

“Huh!” grunted Harry, with fine contempt. “Think because 
you’re an inch taller ’n me you own the farm, don’t you?” 

They were still arguing this all-important question when with 
toot of horn and a fine flourish the automobile drew up at the gate, 
and the chauffeur bent over the wheel to inquire: 

“This Cloverleaf Farm?” 

“Well, I just guess, and that is our automobile!” was the sat- 
isfactory, if rather inelegant response. 

“Glad to see you, very glad to see you!” was Mr. Treat’s cordial 
welcome as he hastened to shake hands with the driver. 

“Glad to meet you too, sir, and to deliver the car safe and sound. 
She’s in finest trim. Suppose we might as well proceed right to 
business. I must get back to Springfield to-night to catch the 
eight-forty westbound. Shall I teach you to drive her now?” 

“Well, to-morrow is Fair day, and we’ll want to use her, of 
course. But come in, and have a drink of sweet cider and a dough- 
nut first. You must be thirsty,” urged Mr. Treat, not forgetful of 
hospitality. “Boys, run and tell mother to put on her bonnet and 
to come out for a little spin.” 

During this time Billy Whiskers had not been idle. He had 
observed the approach of the car, and leisurely ambled around to 

*5 


Billy IVhiskers at the Fair 

the front of the farmhouse, nibbling grass and occasionally taking 
a sample of Mrs. Treat’s special pride, a gaudy bed of scarlet ger- 
aniums bordered with sweet elyssum. 

At last he took up his station on the front steps, in order to 
view the automobile to best possible advantage. With one long 
look, he said to himself: 

“That is a mighty fine contraption. Glad I was able to earn 
it for the boys. ’Twas well worth a summer of toil, hardship and 
privation to give my Dick a bit of pleasure. What fine times we’ll 
have in it! But why, w-h-y, how is this?” questioned surprised 
Billy from the porch steps, for Mrs. Treat had needed no second 
bidding to take her first ride in the automobile, and had brushed 
past him, unheeding. 

In fact, she had laid her hat on the bed of the spare room down- 
stairs early that morning, all ready to be donned for this very occa- 
sion, and even now the family was being stowed away in the rear 
seat of the auto, doors were being securely fastened, last cautions 
and warnings given, and the driver was cranking the machine pre- 
paratory to starting. 

“Why, w-h-y,” repeated Billy in astonishment, “They’ve for- 
gotten me. I’ll just remind them,” and he ran down to the gate, 
bleating his displeasure. 

“Good-bye, old Billy!” 

16 


Billy IVhiskers at the Fair 

“ Race along behind! There’s a good fellow!” Harry called. 

And with these words of scant consolation, the machine glided 
off, leaving Billy a very much disconcerted and crestfallen goat. 

Then jealousy crept into his heart, and filled it near to burst- 
ing. 

“They surely remember that it is my automobile. I am the 
one who really earned it, I’d have them to know! I am the one 
who should have had the honor of the very first ride. It is my 
money they are spending, and yet here I stand, alone and forsaken, 
while they go whizzing off in such fine style! ” 

Now as everyone knows, boys and girls especially, jealousy is 
a very naughty thing to cherish, and revenge is even worse, but, 
his anger mounting higher and higher, Billy proceeded to plan 
vengeance. 

“I don’t like the smell of the thing, anyhow, and if they don’t 
let me ride in it, perhaps my horns can take some of the shine off 
its sides. I’ll bite a piece out of the tires, too, and then maybe 
they’ll have time to remember a little of what Billy Whiskers has 
done for this family. I might even drink the gasolene, but you 
see that might explode after it’s inside of me and not prove alto- 
gether a safe undertaking,” and he sadly returned to the cellar door 
for his usual afternoon nap. 

The Treats did not return for two hours or more, and then all 

17 


Billy FFhiskers at the Fair 

were so loud in their praises of the automobile that poor Billy was 
quite forgotten. 

A bountiful supper was spread, and the machinist entertained 
in true country style. After the meal, all repaired to the porch 
for a final chat before the driver should be taken to Springfield by 
Mr. Treat. 

“I'll remind them of my existence,’ ’ thought Billy, and he 
stalked slowly across the front lawn with majestic tread, in full 
view of the group, on his way to the bam and his quarters for the 
night. 

“What a very fine goat you have there,” complimented the 
chauffeur. 

“Oh, yes,” agreed Mr. Treat, “but a great nuisance, I sometimes 
think.” 

“Why,” interrupted Mrs. Treat, “what do you think? A few 
weeks ago he came back home with a whole pack of trained monkeys 
he had led in a Circus performance this last summer, and glad enough 
I was when we were finally rid of them. He’s a scapegoat, I’m sure 
of that.” 

“A goat is all right, but an auto is lots better,” decided unloyal 
Tom. “I wish we could sell him now.” 

“You do, eh?” thought Billy, as he disappeared around the 
house. “If I ever have a chance at some of the people who are 

18 


Billy Whiskers at the Fair 

always so ready to discard their old friends, they will wish I had 
never come back from the Circus with enough money to buy their 
automobile,” and as a balm for his wounded vanity, Billy wandered 
down to the bam to spread discontent and rebellion among his 
animal friends. 

“Well, Browny,” he began, as he entered that faithful horse’s 
box stall, “the new auto has come, and all the farmyard animals will 
have to look to their laurels now. They may even be entirely for- 
gotten and perhaps left to starve.” You can see from this remark 
that Billy was possessed of a remarkably vivid imagination. — 
“I’ve gone supperless to-night, which may be but the beginning of 
the new order of things.” 

“Now, Billy Whiskers, that is sheer nonsense. Why, I’ve 
been with the Treats ever since they were bride and groom, and I 
have carried each of the boys around on my back as soon as they 
were able to hold on to my mane. They’ll never forget the ser- 
vices of old Browny.” And he proudly tossed his noble head. 

“Oh, don’t be too sure of that,” returned Billy. “Just re- 
member what I did for them this summer. And now Mrs. Treat is 
calling me a nuisance and a scapegoat, whatever that is. This 
minute they are planning long trips, but never a word of thanks to 
Billy.” 

Browny gave a hoarse laugh of mingled contempt and ridicule. 

l 9 


Billy IVhiskers at the Fair 

“Why, William Whiskers,” he said in a tone of sharp rebuke, 
“you are carrying on like a half -grown kid instead of a full-grown, 
bewhiskered goat!” 

“Never mind, well see how you behave when your time to be 
cast aside comes. You’ll not even get to the Fair this year.” 

“You’re wrong there, Billy. I’ll go the same as I have for the 
past fifteen years. Be up bright and early to-morrow morning and 
you’ll see me on the way.” 

“Perhaps, and again perhaps not.” 

“Well, at any rate I’m not worrying. Why, this morning you saw 
our farmyard beauty, the Duke of Windham, along with Dick’s 
Plymouth Rock, Toppy, as they started for the exhibit. They’ll be 
prize winners, or I miss my guess. The Treat farm is always well 
represented. By the way, Billy, are you going? Lots of fun — 
such fun as you’ve never seen. Better come along,” cordially. 

“Oh, I’ll be there. But be sure you are among those present, 
that is all,” retorted the goat, with a knowing wink. 

“Going to walk, same as you did to get to the Circus?” prodded 
droll Browny. 

“Not if I know it,” was Billy’s quick reply. Ambling up closer, 
he reached up and whispered confidentially: 

“I’m going in the automobile, with the rest of the family. A 
goat of my experience and breeding goes with the best,” and with 


20 


WHACK! RESOUNDED A BROOMSTICK ON 


BILLY'S BROAD BACK. 

























* • '! 































































Billy Whiskers at the Fair 

that Billy stalked off, head held high, well satisfied at having filled 
Browny as full of uncomfortable forebodings as he himself had been 
a short time before. 

“I surely smell doughnuts,” thought Billy as he sniffed the 
keen outside air, and he quickened his steps toward the kitchen, 
which had been the scene of unusual activity that day. 

Peering cautiously in, he found the field clear, much to his sat- 
isfaction. 

“Deserted! I’ll now eat the supper I didn’t have a while ago.” 

And into the pantry walked the naughty Billy, to pilfer the 
results of Mrs. Treat’s day spent at baking and brewing. 

“Dear me! there surely are doughnuts somewhere about. I 
never make a mistake in that regard, for they are prime favorites 
with one B. W. Ah, there they are, and a two-gallon crock piled 
high with the brown beauties! I’ll try just one, and then that 
pumpkin pie on the next shelf looks a bit toothsome, too. I really 
think that all these doughnuts, six pies all in a row, a chocolate cake, 
and then another that they call a sponge, though I never could see 
the reason for the name, besides three fried chickens in that earthen 
bowl are just a little more than the boys ought to be allowed to 
eat to-morrow. It might make them sick, and so I’ll play the 
good fairy and remove temptation from their path,” and Billy fell 
to with a will. 


23 


Billy Whiskers at the Fair 

His stomach was commencing to bulge with the goodies, and even 
his goatish appetite was half satisfied, when Whack! Whack! re- 
sounded a broomstick on Billy’s broad back, wielded vigorously by 
the mistress of the household. Discouraged and back beaten, his 
goatship scurried to the bam, there to nurse his many grievous 
wrongs. 

“Small use in my trying to do right,” he cogitated. “Somebody 
is always against me, and as soon as I am up, they are sure to knock 
me down. I am getting sore,” and he mbbed his poor back against 
Browny’s stall. “Anyway, there’s a good time ahead to-morrow.” 

Now Billy had heard a great deal of this annual county event, 
for the Treat boys had discussed it at length. Nevertheless, it 
would all be new to him. As he sought his bed of fragrant hay, 
his thoughts ran: 

“Wonder what a Fair is like. Maybe just a miniature Circus, 
and then it will be a bore to me. But I’ll go in the auto. That 
will be a new experience, anyway. Will sit on the front seat, too; 
if not going to the Fair, at least on the return trip. There will 
be room for me somewhere. I have always managed my own affairs 
with a fair measure of success, and I believe I can this time. They 
say where there’s a will there’s a way, and I am the Will in this in- 
stance. With a good night’s rest and an early breakfast, I will be 
in trim and — and — ” but Billy was off to the land of dreams. 


24 


CHAPTER II 
FAIR DAY DAWNS 


S IS the invariable custom with all thrifty farm folk, the 
Treat family was astir as soon as the sun had begun his 
journey across the sky. Just as the first bright streaks of 
light shot up from the horizon in the east, Mr. Treat went 
to the stock bams to do his morning chores, and his good wife was 
busy in her kitchen preparing the morning meal. The boys were 
eager to lend a hand — an extraordinary state of affairs, to say the 
least, but they were so brimming full of excitement at the prospects 
of the day before them that finally they were banished from the 
kitchen, their mother declaring them nuisances and far more of a 
hindrance than a help. 

As the sound of the clicking gate leading from the barnyard to 
the vegetable garden at the rear of the house proclaimed Mr. Treat’s 
return, his wife poured out the steaming, fragrant coffee and Tom 
was summoned to carry the savory ham and eggs to the table. 
Mrs. Treat was one of those women who realize that a farmer must 
dilly-dally at his meals no more than any business man, and seldom 
indeed was this family asked to wait for a meal. 



Billy JVhiskers at the Fair 

“ Looks like a fine day ahead of us,” Mr. Treat reported as he 
opened the door. “The little fog in the valley is clearing fast, 
and by noon it will be warm enough for our picnic dinner in the 
maple grove.” 

“Evening red and morning gray 
Sets the traveler on his way, ” 

quoted Mrs. Treat. “I was not worrying about the weather, for 
that sign never fails.” 

“Goody! Goody!” exulted Dick. “Let’s hurry, father.” 

“Well, all the stock has been fed, and my work is done. If 
mother will pack the lunch, we’ll be off within the hour. I’ve taken 
a look at the automobile and everything is in shape for the start.” 

“ I’d much rather go in the carriage, with Browny,” remonstrated 
Mrs. Treat nervously. “You know, father — ” 

“ Oh, father, please don’t! ” chorussed Tom and Harry in a breath. 

“I’ll drive Browny!” cried cheery little Dick, always ready to 
acquiesce to any plan. 

“Now, mother,” wheedled Mr. Treat, “don’t you worry! That 
machinist told me a lot of things about the auto, and you know I 
drove to Springfield and back again last night after supper. I 
made the return trip alone, too, and so nothing’s going to happen 
to-day. Boys,” dismissing the subject, “help pack the hamper, 
and I’ll fill the gasolene tank.” 


26 


Billy Whiskers at the Fair 

Boys and girls who have lived all their years in the city have 
scant idea of all the good things that went into the Treat hamper 
that morning. 

There was a crisp salad of celery, apples, nuts and lettuce, doz- 
ens and dozens of sandwiches with a liberal filling of boiled ham, 
pickles — tomato pickles, cucumber pickles, pickled pears, pickled 
onions — cold chicken, sliced ham, baked beans, mince pie, pumpkin 
pie, doughnuts, and a delicious cake. 

The preparation of the lunch was Mrs. Treat’s special pride, 
and all her housewifely art was exerted to make it the best her 
ovens could produce. As she spread the snowy napkins over the top 
of the bountiful feast, she said: 

“This lunch basket is rather large, but it will set in that hamper 
on the auto very easily. I’ve packed this basket tight, and the 
things won’t jiggle at all. Now, Tom, you take hold of this side, 
and Harry, you may take this, and tell your father to crowd in news- 
papers securely about it so it can’t move an inch. I always think 
when I see an auto go spinning by that the trunk’ll surely bump 
off when they go over the thank-e-ma’ams on the hill.” 

“Mama said to fix it tight,” cautioned Tom, as the basket was 
lifted to its place in the larger hamper on the rack. 

“I’ll do that, my son, and now run in and bring me some more 
papers. This lunch must carry safely, or our day will be spoiled.” 

27 


Billy JVhiskers at the Fair 

“There!” sighed Mr. Treat, as he tested the hamper to see that 
no amount of 1: umping would disturb the lunch, “that will do, but I 
will let the lid be open, for mother’ll be sure to want to tuck in 
something else at the very last moment. Come along, boys, we’ll 
get our hats and then be off,” and they merrily trooped into the 
house. 

Jealous Billy had not been idle all this time. Indeed, he had 
been spying out the situation from a favorite hiding-place in the 
hay mow, and now he descended to reconnoiter further. 

“How am I ever to get to the Fair in that? There’s no place 
underneath where I can hang on. I can’t get inside, for they’ll 
see me first thing, and then I’ll be taken into the bam and securely 
locked up. That was the treatment I received in the summer when 
the Circus came to Springfield. I can’t ride anywhere that I can 
see.” 

Once more he circled around the machine. 

“If there was only a top to the machine, I might manage to 
ride on it. To be sure, it might prove rather slippery, but I’d 
dig in my toes. There would be one disadvantage, though. I’d 
receive the full benefit of all the bumps on the road, perched up 
there.” 

With a saucy side toss of his magnificent head, he paused sud- 
denly to chuckle: 


28 


Billy BFhiskers at the Fair 

“Ha, ha! Ho, ho! Just the very place for me! Ha, ha, ha!” 
and with one light spring he was up beside the hamper. 

“Plenty of room with a few of those papers out of the way,” 
so he proceeded to dispense with them by eating them — not a very 
appetizing meal, but goats are not the most epicurean of beasts. 
When they had been disposed of in this manner, he stepped daintily 
inside the hamper, though it was a very tight fit. Then his eyes 
popped open and a broad smile lighted up his countenance, and he 
wiggled his chin whiskers, a trick he had to express extreme pleas- 
ure. 

“What luck for Billy! Breakfast all laid! And Mrs. Treat’s 
best cooking, too.” 

With a little flirt of his horns, wicked Billy brought the cover 
down over himself and the lunch basket, and to all outward ap- 
pearances everything was very snug. 

“Good thing this is so large,” ruminated Billy. “Really it is 
more of a rattan trunk than a hamper. I suppose it is meant to 
do duty for a trunk on short trips,” and he settled himself com- 
fortably, and only just in time, for Mr. Treat was even then calling 
in his hearty, jovial way: “All aboard!” and was helping Mrs. 
Treat into the tonneau. 

After an argument as to whom belonged the honor place — 
the seat beside the driver — Tom was installed there, while the 

29 


Billy hVhiskers at the Fair 

younger boys were tucked in beside their mother, pacified by the 
promise that on the return trip it would be turn-about. 

In the excitement of getting off, Mr. Treat forgot all about 
the unfastened hamper, and so with a few preliminary coughs and 
rumbles, the machine glided smoothly out of the drive on to the 
highway — a si#-passenger car. 

From the time the boys had been out of bed, they had been 
popping to the front window in the kitchen at every noise made by 
passing vehicles. 

“Mama, mama, there go the Ripleys!” they complained, eager 
to be off. 

“We’ll never get there if we don’t start pretty soon,” they fairly 
groaned. 

“Never mind, never mind,” Mother Treat comforted. “We are 
going in the automobile, you know, and we will overtake all those 
people before they are so very many miles on their way.” 

And now that they were skimming along so rapidly, they really 
began to pass their neighbors in their slower, horse-drawn convey- 
ances. 

Farmer Treat honked merrily as he rolled up behind them and 
as horses were turned to one side to give liberal passing room, the 


3 ° 


Billy IVhiskers at the Fair 

boys answered the friendly greetings with happy shouts and waving 
caps. 

“We will beat the whole township to the Fair,” predicted Tom, 
ever full of confidence. 

“B-b-b-b-u-u-u-r-r-r-r-r-r!” came a hoarse, grating sound from 
the depths of the auto as they reached the first slight incline which 
began the long, steady half-mile mount of Rex Hill. 

Mr. Treat, full of fear at the unusual noise, put on the emergency 
brake and brought the car to a standstill with a sudden jolt. 

“Mercy me!” shouted Mrs. Treat, from the tonneau. “Let me 
out! I told you something would happen and we’d all be killed. 
Let me out!” she repeated, fumbling frantically at the door. 

“What’s the matter?” inquired the boys, as they began to tin- 
ker with spark plug, brake and lever. 

“ Let those be! ” commanded Mr. Treat, not in the best of humor, 
and trying in vain to conceal his uneasiness. “I’ll soon have it 
fixed,” and he continued his search for the cause of the trouble. 

“It isn’t the tires as I can see, and nothing’s wrong with the 
sparker, either,” he said nervously. “And there comes the George 
Petersons, and he’ll have a spell if he sees me in difficulty. He 
is always glad to laugh at one in trouble. Besides, I know he’s 
wanted an auto for a long time, and a chance to laugh at— Mother, 


3i 


Billy Whiskers at the Fair 

come on! Climb in. It’s all right. I must have fed the engine 
too much gasolene. Climb in and we’ll be hustling along.” 

All went well until they topped the hill and struck a new cinder 
road when b-b-bu-ur-r-r-r! came the same dismal, warning sound. 

“Land sakes! What ever can be the trouble now? I am getting 
that fidgety that I sha’n’t be able to enjoy anything at the Fair 
when we do get there!” fretted Mrs. Treat. 

“I’m pretty certain it is the gear,” said her husband, “or else 
the carbureter.” 

“Perhaps it is the spark plug,” offered knowing Tom. 

“Mightn’t it be the batteries,” suggested Dick with a wise ex- 
pression in his great blue eyes, and a frown on his face. 

“Or may be one of the differentials,” added Harry, eager to be 
of help to his father. 

“Well, I am pretty sure it is a judgment on us,” responded 
Mrs. Treat. “I think we had better turn back and get old Browny 
and the surrey. We’ll be sure to get there some time then. Now 
I don’t know that we ever shall.” 

“What did I do?” questioned Mr. Treat as the engine began to 
respond to his vigorous cranking. “I’ve cranked and cranked and 
cranked , and why it should begin now and not ten minutes ago is 
beyond my comprehension.” 

If the driver had been of an inquiring turn of mind and had con- 

32 


Billy IVhiskers at the Fair 

ducted his investigations a little further, he might have located the 
real cause of all his difficulties. 

In the course of the last half hour, Billy Whiskers had been 
feasting himself upon the pies and cakes and other delicacies stored 
in the hamper. 

“My, what would Browny think if he could see me now!” he 
thought. And it was his roar of delight that resulted in the first 
consternation of the inexperienced chauffeur. 

“ Deary me! ” thought the goat when the auto brought up with a 
violent jerk. “I wish Mr. Treat would be more careful. I’ll surely 
be caught now, and he will be the death of me if he finds me in here,” 
and a nervous shiver or two ran down his spine. But when all 
quieted down and the machine was making good time over the 
country roads, Billy resumed his repast, only to be interrupted 
once or twice by his chuckles of bubbling good nature. 

At last, even his appetite being fully satisfied, he began to lay 
further plans for his outing. 

“In the first place,” he mused, “how am I ever to get out of 
this box? My legs are cramped, and I ache in every bone from 
remaining so long in such an awkward position. I’ll stretch a bit 
and see where we are, at the same time,” and he cautiously raised 
the hamper lid with his head. 

“Well, well! If there isn’t the gate to the grounds. How glad 


33 


Billy Whiskers at the Fair 



I am to see it. I’ll crouch down here and ride right in with the 
family.” 

But the flowers on Mrs. Treat’s hat proved his undoing, for they 
waved so temptingly near, Billy could not resist one little nibble 
to see if they were as delicious as they 
looked. Feeling the twitch as his 
teeth fastened upon them, that lady 
turned suddenly, and Billy, 
making a hurried effort to es- 
cape her eye, dodged down 
behind. Unfortunately, he 
lost his balance and fell into 
the dust, and it was only due 
to the fact that the hamper 
was strapped on securely that 
he did not carry that along. 
He rolled over and over in 
the deep dust of the unpaved 
roadway until his beautiful 


white coat was soiled and grimy. 

Regaining his footing with a bound, he shook himself to free his 
coat of the dirt and to express his disgust. 

“ ’Twill never do to let a trifle like this keep me from the Fair. 


34 



Billy JVhiskers at the Fair 



I must gain an entrance somehow,” and he ran as fast as his fleet 
legs could carry him. 

He made a desperate effort to 
overtake the automobile, now al- 
most at the gate, but just as the 
machine rolled past the entrance 
and into the enchanted territory, 

Billy dashed up, only to be con- 
fronted by the gateman, who nim- 
bly swung the wide gate back into 
place — and Billy was outside! 

“Beaten!” he gasped, gazing 
wrathfully after the fast disap- 
pearing automobile. “How can I 
get inside of that high fence?” 

The gateman threw a few stones at 
Billy to chase him away, and so he 
sadly and slowly began to patrol 
the fence, searching for some 
place that would offer easy 
entrance. Two or three times he was 
half way under, squirming his way in like a 
common dog, but a crowd of boys found him and, taking advan- 


35 


Billy IVhiskers at the Fair 


tage of his helpless position, threw sticks and stones, and forced him 
to withdraw. 

Coming to a high bluff that overlooked the grounds, he climbed 
it and lay down for a few moments of rest, to rearrange his dis- 
ordered plans. 


TT ild see the tops of the many 

the roof of the grand stand, 
r white in its new coat of 



paint, and the long, curv- 
ing course of the race 
track stretching before 


W it. All of these things 

a he quickly recognized 

Ir from the descriptions he 

) had heard the boys give, 

and then, too, it resem- 
bled the Circus to a 
striking degree. 


About the tents and buildings he could see the crowds begin- 
ning to surge. He could hear the barking of many dogs, the cack- 
ling of chickens, the lowing of the co .vs, the baaing of the sheep, 
the squealing of the pigs, and the confused murmur of the people, — 
a great hubbub down there, but just a faint murmur at this distance. 


36 


Billy Whiskers at the Fair 

“ Oh, if only I were there! It must be glorious. See that beau- 
tiful horse trotting around the track at the far side — and there, 
there is our auto, I’m sure of it! I wonder what Mrs. Treat will 
say when she discovers that something has happened to her fine 
lunch. But here, I must gain entrance to these grounds by hook 
or by crook.” 

He thought a long time, but one plan after another was cast 
aside as being too foolhardy, or unworthy his prowess, or beneath 
his dignity. At last, just below him, he spied little Dick coming 
along beside his mother. 

“Ah, there is my playfellow!” and with no thought but to join 
him, he bounded over the forbidding fence. 

“Oh, Billy, Billy!” shouted surprised Dick. “I’m so glad to 
see you,” but Billy needed just one quick glance at Mrs. Treat’s 
face to realize that it was wise for him to keep his distance and 
away he scurried, free as when on his native hills in far-away Swit- 
zerland. 


37 



CHAPTER III 


IN THE NEEDLEWORK EXHIBIT 


FTER Billy had put a safe distance between himself and 
Mrs. Treat to feel at ease, he wandered aimlessly along, 
letting himself be carried here and there, wherever he 
chanced to see anything that offered interest, when sud- 
denly he heard a squeaky, high-pitched voice saying: 

“Oh, where have you been 
Billy boy, Billy boy?” 


“Who is that? I do not recognize the voice, but it may be 
some of my old friends from the Circus,” and knowing that the 
voice issued from a tent near by, he promptly stuck his head under 
the canvas side and took a look about. 

Billy Whiskers, as you already know, had a very large bump of 
curiosity, and tents were no mystery to him after his long exper- 
ience of the summer just gone. 

“Nothing there,” he quickly decided, when from the other side 
of the tent came the inquiry in a sing-song, high falsetto: 

“Oh, where have you been, 

Billy boy, Billy boy? 

Oh, where have you been, 

Charming Billy? ” 


39 


Billy Whiskers at the Fair 

By this time Billy's eyes commenced to bulge with wonder, for 
he was as susceptible to flattery as any. 

“I wonder which of my friends is playing this joke. Come out, 
old fellow, and give me a fair chance,” he demanded. 

“Oh, where have you been, 

Billy boy, Billy boy? 

Oh, where have you been, 

Charming Billy? 

I’ve been to seek a wife, 

For the pleasure of my life, 

She’s a young thing, 

And cannot leave her mother!” 

came the mocking answer. 

“If I could find the insolent fellow, I would cure him of prying 
into other people’s affairs. More trouble is made in this world by 
prying eyes and itching ears than any other one thing. That much 
I’ve learned in my short career. But there is nothing here except 
that box with the tin horn sticking out of the top. It must be some- 
one is trying to play a practical joke on me.” 

Billy crept all the way into the tent, for he still hoped to find 
one of his friends in hiding. Walking about cautiously to explore, 
he had all but reached the mysterious box when once more the 
voice began to repeat: 


40 


Billy Whiskers at the Fair 

“Oh, where have you been, 

Billy boy, Bil ” 

‘Now I know who ’tis. It’s one of those parrots who traveled 
with the Circus, and that box must be her cage. They always were 


the sauciest things, and 
her a much-needed 

Backing away to 
made the attack 
box full in the 
went with a great 
noise summoned 
who rushed in 
happened. 

“Get out o’ 
o’ here! You’ve 
greatest inven- 
age,” and, stick 
started after 
wrath in his 


full of importance, and I’ll teach 
lesson.” 

gain a start, Billy 
and struck the 
center. Over it 
clatter, and the 
an attendant, 
to see what had 

here! Get out 
smashed the 
tion of the 
in hand, he 
Billy with 
eye. 

Deciding that discretion was much the better part of valor, 
Billy took quick refuge in precipitous flight. He crept under the 
side of the tent once more, but this time his departure was hastened 
a trifle by a final prod from his pursuer. 



4i 


Billy hVhiskers at the Fair 

“ No use/’ thought the discouraged goat. “ I receive many rough 
knocks in this great world. If they had not called me in here, I 
would never thought of entering, and then the moment I am inside, 
they boost me out as if I were an intruder, and so it goes — but here 
I am at this large building. Let me see what it has to offer. I 
always like to make the rounds to these show places before the 
crush commences. Besides, this seems to be devoted to the ladies, 
so it deserves my first attention. Then I am always a wee bit shy 
and timid when the ladies are around, so altogether it behooves me 
to get in early.” 

In reality, Billy had wandered into the needlework department 
of the great Fair. The walls were hung with quilts of all colors 
and makes. There was the common four-patch, the more preten- 
tious nine-patch^ and then the intricate, puzzling designs of the 
tulip pattern, and, above all, some proud owner had brought her 
wonderful Rising Sun design, with its limitless amount of work. 

Large pieces of embroidery likewise were displayed, and show 
cases were filled with the most expensive and exquisite hand-made 
laces. Tables were strewn with fine doilies, elaborate handker- 
chiefs, scarfs and what not. 

. Billy was plainly amazed, and stood with wide-open eyes gazing 
about. 

“Just look at those handsome pillows and the soft, downy 


42 


Billy Whiskers at the Fair 

cushions! How fine it must be to sleep on them instead of on a 
hard bundle of straw or perhaps on the hay beside the haystack,” 
and so musing, Billy walked the length of the hall. 

People were now beginning to crowd the building, and Billy was 
scarcely noticed among the throng. Petticoats were much in pre- 
dominance, as men are little, if ever, deeply interested in such things 
as were here displayed. Billy rejoiced at this, for he did not hold 
women in such respect as men — they might shriek louder, but in- 
stead of giving chase and inflicting merited punishment, they much 
more often merely screamed their fright, and then collapsed in a 
little, limp heap. Therefore his seeming boldness on this occa- 
sion. 

Once an old lady, dim of sight, patted him on the back, but, 
bending closer, discovered his horns and drew fearfully away, won- 
dering at her fortunate escape. 

As Billy strolled along, he became conscious that he was fright- 
fully hungry, and when he heard a lady exclaim in admiration at 
a “biscuit quilt,” he edged nearer to that center of attraction. 

There on the wall he saw what appeared to be a mammoth pan of 
many colored biscuit. For a long time he gazed at the sight, lost 
in happy contemplation of the feast that it would afford. The 
longer he looked, the hungrier he grew, and the wilder became the 
desire to sink his teeth in the delicious, puffy looking things. 


43 


Billy JVhiskers at the Fair 

When most of the crowd had pressed on to another point of in- 
terest, he crept up to the toothsome dainty and began to nibble at 
it. 

“Rather tough,’ ’ he commented, “but perhaps they’ve baked too 
hard around the edge and when I get nearer the middle, the bis- 
cuits will be more tender. It must have been rather a large pan, 
and the outer ones had too much heat,” and he ate on with a right 
good will. 

Having consumed all that was within easy reach, he began to 
pull. With a crash the entire supporting frame fell to the floor, 
knocking two or three people down and striking Billy a spiteful blow 
on the head. 

Blinded for the moment, and enraged, he plunged madly into a 
show-case. There the shower of falling, shattered glass terrified 
him the more, and he turned to make a frantic rush through the 
rapidly gathering throng, knocking down any and all who blocked 
his path with those cruel, lowered horns. 

Finding progress almost impossible and fearing immediate cap- 
ture, he leaped up on a table and ran helter-skelter from one end 
to the other. In his mad careening, his horns caught an exquisite 
lace shawl, and it went streaming behind him like the tail of a 
comet as he made one long, flying leap through an open window, to 
safety, as he thought, but S-P-L-A-S-H! Billy landed in a great 

44 



BILLY LANDED IN A GREAT TUB OF WATER. 
























































' 
























































1 






















% 


































































Billy Whiskers at the Fair 

tub of water in which seven or eight ducks were calmly besporting 
themselves. 

“Three rings for five cents ! 

Try your luck! 

Seven for ten cents ! 

Win a duck!” 

screamed the fakir. 

Hearing the wild hissing and quacking of his prize fowls, he 
turned to investigate, and just in time to see Billy Whiskers scramble 
out of the miniature duck pond and vigorously shake himself free 
of the water of his involuntary and unexpected bath. 

“ There,” thought Billy, “I'm away from that mob of petticoats, 
and also from that stringy thing that fastened itself to my horns/ 1 
for one duck, more daring than its fellows, had plucked the cob- 
webby lace off Billy's horns and was waddling off with the filmy 
plunder. 

More concerned about the safety of his ducks than with the in- 
trusion of the goat, the fakir bustled about restoring them to their 
tub, and Billy made off, much to the amusement of the ring throw- 
ers. 

Perhaps you have known people that were so engrossed with their 
own small troubles that they had no thought for the countless beau- 
tiful things in the world about them — never saw the blooming 

47 


Billy Whiskers at the Fair 

flowers, never heard the warble of the feathered songster, never 
enjoyed any of the countless wondrous things God has put into His 
world for His children’s pleasure? 

Well, Billy was not that kind. No sooner had he extricated 


himself from his 
duck pond than 
head, shut one eye 
wink, and drank 
pleasing to his ears 
the palate of the 
strains of music 
round. 

It was just 
still as Billy ap- 
attending bustle and 
the youngsters, he 
between two pran- 
wooden steeds. In 



I predicament of the 
v he cocked up his 
in a provoking 
in what was as 
as rare wine to 
epicure — the 
from a merry-go- 


coming to a stand- 
proached, and in the 
excitement of unloading 
managed to secrete himself 
cing, though 
a moment the 


shrill whistle tooted its warning and last invitation to another 
group to board, and the children crowded the circular platform. 
Hurriedly they chose their places, one little fellow crying: 

“Oh, let me ride the Billy dote! He is just like the Billy I 
want at home, favver! ” 


48 


Billy JVhiskers at the Fair 

And there stood our Billy, rigid as a statue, never wiggling so 
much as one whisker while the youngster bestrode his back and 
clutched at his horns. 

Round and round and round the merrymakers circled, as dizzy as 
they were happy. The piano played, the children laughed, and the 
grown-ups, though scarcely so boisterous, enjoyed the trip fully as 
much as the little folks whom they accompanied — for of course they 
had to go along. Wouldn’t it be too dreadful if the boys and girls 
should tumble off their steeds? 

Presently the merry-go-round stopped, and as the children 
poured fourth to make room for the next relay, Billy cautiously 
watched his opportunity to escape, dizzy and very weak of leg from 
the rapid circling of the merry-go-round. As he made off, he skulked 
behind this building and that, fearful that someone who had wit- 
nessed the havoc he had created in the fancy-work department 
might still be on his trail. 


49 



CHAPTER IV 


THE BABY SHOW 

OW, Billy Whiskers, this is much like your experience in the 
early summer at the Circus, and you know full well what 
dire consequences followed then,” scolded the goat, for 
one of Billy’s favorite pastimes was to talk to himself as 
though he were two goats, Billy the good reproving Billy the mis- 
chief-maker; Billy the first admonishing Billy the second for his 
escapades and bewailing his abnormal capacity for evil doing. 

“It is high time that you decide to keep out of harm’s way,” he 
continued with a wag of the head, “for if you don’t, someone with 
a blue coat and a shiny piece of metal on his breast will catch you 
and then there’ll be the end of all fun and the beginning of a most 
dreary time in captivity.” 

“Well, well,” impatiently agreed the fun-loving goat, “you’re 
in the right, as always, wise William, and we’ll reform — for to-day. 
We’ll see all there is to be seen at this Fair in a becoming manner, 
though I fear me it will be a trifle dull and prosy — like spice cake 
minus the spice.” 

All this time he had been ambling slowly along, following the 



Billy IVhiskers at the Fair 

general trend of the crowd down a street lined both sides with booths 
and buildings which flaunted the gayest of bunting and flags, and 
now he drew up with a start as he found himself at the end and 
facing an open door, for he was wary of buildings in view of his 
recent experience in the needle work department. 

Here before him was a great sea of faces. Long rows of chairs 
and in every one of them a woman with a baby! Babies and babies 
and babies were there. Some were fat and rosy, well content to sit 
quietly on their proud mothers' laps, others were lean and agile, 
and forever on the move, but all were beruffled and belaced in bil- 
lowing garments of purest white. 

“Ah!” ruminated Billy, “this must be the Baby Show. I heard 
Mrs. Treat talking about it the other day. I'll see what sort 
of specimens are carrying off the palm these days,” and in he saun- 
tered. 

“ Now I’m sure that if my Dick was a baby again, he’d have first 
place. Even now he is the roundest, rosiest, merriest little young- 
ster I’ve ever met — and goodness knows, I’m rather an exper- 
ienced judge. Didn’t I see thousands and thousands of boys and 
girls all last summer? If ever you wish to see all sorts and kinds, 
the Circus is the place for you. Why, I remember one day — but 
there, to the business in hand,” and he commenced to pace slowly 
down one aisle. 


5 * 


Billy hVhiskers at the Fair 

“ Isn’t she the dearest thing? ” ejaculated one woman immediately 
in front of Billy, pausing so suddenly to fondle a baby all done up 
in blue ribbons and lace that Billy, now on his good behavior, had 
much ado to save her from an uncomfortable and unpleasant en- 
counter with his horns. With skilful maneuvering, however, he 
essayed to pass by, but, his curiosity aroused, he peered around to 
discover the cause of her admiring words. 

By this time the baby was undergoing a series of pattings and 
huggings at the hands of the visitor, while the delighted mother 
hovered over the two. 

“Doesn’t she look bright? But then, she ought to be. Now 
my Jamie, he’s only five, and he’s the smartest boy,” and motherly 
pride beamed as she launched into the story. 

“Jamie is the cutest chap, and can wind his father right round 
his little finger and lead him where he pleases. Last winter when 
Washington’s birthday came, I thought he was old enough to hear 
about the Father of his country, so I told him all about the boy 
George. The next morning I saw him climb up on his father’s lap 
and, opening his big blue eyes in that cunning way all his own, he 
asked: 

“ ‘Papa, did George Washington really and truly cut down that 
cherry-tree?’ ” 

“ ‘Yes, my son, so they say.’ ” 


S3 


Billy hVhiskers at the Fair 

‘ 4 ‘And didn’t his papa whip him for being so dreadfully naughty ?’ ” 
with a shake of the head to express his wonder. 

“ ‘No You see, Jamie, he was proud to have a son who was 
brave enough to tell the truth even though he thought a whipping 
would follow owning up.’ ” 

“ ‘Well, papa, would you whip me if I cut down a tree?’ ” came 
next from our boy. 

“ ‘I think not, Jamie. Yes, I’m sure I would not whip you. I 
would be just every bit as proud of you for telling the honest truth 
as George Washington’s father was of his boy.’ ” 

“ ‘Say, father,’ ” and Jamie snuggled up closer to his father, “ ‘I 
never told you, but one day last summer I went over to Rob’s house 
and — and — I ate a whole bushel, almost, of mulberries!’” came the 
hesitating confession.” And the mother glanced around quickly to 
note the effect of the story on her audience. 

“He is a little diplomat, that I see from your story,” commented 
one of the group of ladies who had gathered about. 

“Boys are dears,” offered a little old lady, dressed in quiet 
gray that matched the silver of her waving hair and brought out the 
wonderful blue of her beautiful eyes, still alight with youthful fire. 
“Of course I never had a son, nor a daughter either, for that mat- 
ter, but years ago I lived next to a little girl named Alice, and then 
I decided that girls were really nicer than boys. 

54 


Billy JVhiskers at the Fair 

Alice was the brightest child, and *t was my deight that she 
came to my home for a daily call. 

“I always kept a jar of cookies in the kitchen cupboard, just in 
easy reach for her, for Alice was passionate; fond cf cookies, and 
especially if they boasted a raisin in the center. She always visited 
that cupboard as soon as she came in, and alw ays found the jar was 
waiting for her with its store. 

“ But one day her mother told me the habit must not be allowed 
to grow, and so I promised faithfully to do my part. 

“It was not long until Alice, her curls bobbing and her eyes 
dancing with fun, came running in to see me. Straight to that 
cupboard door she went, and opening it, was about to reach for the 
sweet cake when she discovered the jar empty — empty for the first 
time in weeks and months! 

“Looking at me out of the comer of her eye, she tapped on the 
v jar and inquired: 

“ ‘Any tookies at home to-day?’ ” 

“And you?” asked one of the bystanders, eager for the rest of 
the incident. 

“Well, I — I didn’t keep my promise to help break her of the 
habit that day. ” 

“That is a good one,” seconded another woman eagerly, “and 
brings to my mind a story of my boys, now grown men. In those 

55 


Billy Whiskers at the Fair 

days we lived on the farm, and my sons were just old enough to 
venture out into the fields alone. You know what a lark it is for 
boys to hunt? Well, my boys developed the instinct early. One 
day in spring George saw a squirrel flirt its saucy tail over in the 
woods, and off they were after it. 

“I had not noticed their absence until 
I saw Charles, a toddler of four, come 
racing down the road and turn into 
the dooryard. 

“ 'George has broked his neck! 
Mama, mama, George has broked his 
c, he has!” he screamed. 

“Tell me how,” I demanded, my heart 
-thumping wildly. 

“ ‘He fell off a tree. He’s broked his 
neck. Come quick,” the child gave 
answer. 

“I needed no second bidding, but frantically started 
for the wood lot. Charles ran along by my side, and when we came 
to the fence I lifted him over first, and only then thought to ask: 

“ ‘Charles, how do you know his neck is broken?” 

‘“Well,” he explained, “you see, he climbed the tree after the 
squirrel, and he went out too far, and the old rotten limb it just 

56 



Billy Whiskers at the Fair 

snapped and George fell and he is hurted, and he said to run and tell 
you to come quick. I started and then he called and said: 

‘ Charles, better say my neck is broked right off. I guess then 
she’ll hurry, sure!” 

‘‘The little rascal!” laughed one of the bystanders who had 
listened to the tale. “I don’t believe you hurried so much after 
that enlightening speech, did you?” 

“Well, hardly. You see,” beaming, “I wasn’t so sure that his 
neck was broken after that!” 

“Hump!” thought Billy, disgust written on his face. “These 
mothers are the queerest things. They tell stories by the full hour 
of their children as if they had the most wonderful boy or girl in 
the whole world. And, after all, they prove to be just about the 
average — nothing so exceedingly bright about any of those stories 
that I can see,” and off he strolled, for he meant to make his way 
out of the building without further delay. 

He would likely have carried out this determination, but before 
he had proceeded half way to the door, all his sympathies were 
aroused by one of the exhibited babies. For whatever other faults 
Billy possessed, a hard heart was not one of them, and any sign of 
suffering brought quick sympathy from him. 

“Deary, deary me! That child must have the whooping cough! 
What a crying shame to bring it here. It is black in the face al- 

57 


Billy IVhiskers at the Fair 

ready, and there sits its mother doing absolutely nothing for its re- 
lief. I’m sure she doesn’t know what ails the poor baby! ” 

Now it happened that the Treat trio had had 
a long siege of the disease the winter before, 
and Billy knew very well what to do when a 
paroxysm of coughing wracked the sufferer. 

Had he not seen Mrs. Treat, who was usu- 
ally so gentle a mother, vigorously pound 
her offspring on their backs? And 
hadn’t the boys come out as hearty 
as ever? 

So Billy resolved to take the 
same measures in the present 
case, and thereupon he backed 
away, gained a start, and gather- 
ing momentum with every forward 
step, he hurled himself pell-mell 
against the child. Off it went, rolling 
and tumbling from its mother’s lap to the floor, 
emitting shrill screams, though they were more 
from fright than from injury. 

“There! It’s recovered its breath, at any rate, and that is 
the main thing,” was Billy’s self-congratulatory thought, but alack 

58 



Billy IVhiskers at the Fair 

and alas for the philanthropically inclined goat, punishment swift 
and sure followed. 

Cries of alarm, a general stampede among the onlookers, and 
an umbrella wielded by a hearty farmer hastened Billy’s igno- 
minious flight from the scene. 

“Oh, ma li’l darlin’, ma honey chile!” crooned the mother over 
her wailing, rescued daughter, rocking it back and forth to comfort 
and quiet it, for Billy had attacked a negro baby! 


59 





. 



































' 

































B . 


■ 


























■ 
















CHAPTER V 
THE BALLOON MAN 


Y the time Billy had made good his escape from the Baby 
Show, the grounds were crowded with merrymakers. 
The annual county Fair was an event that no farmer and 
but very few of the townspeople of Licking County would 
willingly miss, and the genial sunshine had brought thousands of 
sightseers out on the first day, for such ideal weather could not be 
expected to last long at that season of the year. 

The country folk, for the most part, provided their own lunches, 
for noon was the time set apart for social gatherings of old friends 
and neighbors. Many times five or six families would spread their 
picnic dinners together and, not having seen each other since the 
last Fair, the hour would pass pleasantly enough with comparison of 
rival crops, a discussion of the outlook for another prosperous year, 
exchange of advice on farming subjects, and kindly gossip about 
mutual friends. 

The townspeople, on the other hand, depended on the numerous 
lunch booths and tents scattered over the grounds, and now as Billy 
followed in the wake of the crowds, the odor of coffee coming to him 

6 1 



Billy Whiskers at the Fair 

in delightful, fragrant whiffs, proclaimed that noon was fast ap- 
proaching. 

“ If lunch-time is here, I must be on the lookout for something to 
eat. Nothing keeps one in better humor or in finer condition to 
meet the trials of the day than a good meal. I’ve observed that 
this truth applies to men and women as well as to goats, too, and 
the fact likely explains why so many, many people are overly fond 
of table pleasures. But there, stop your philosophizing, Billy, 
and take hold of the pressing business in hand — the location of 
the base of supplies.” 

An empty stomach quite often proves as great an incentive to 
action to people as well as to goats, and this may have accounted 
for the unusual bustle of the sightseers for, try as he would, Billy 
had much difficulty in wriggling through the crowds and made 
slow progress. 

“I do believe everyone is heading for the Treat automobile, 
same as me,” he reflected. “I do want to get there early, for it is 
my one opportunity to secure a meal honorably. If I was at Clover- 
leaf Farm, I should be provided with plenty and to spare. That I 
am at the Fair instead is no reason at all why I should be neglected 
by the Treats.” 

you will see from this that Billy meant to do just right, and 
likely would have put his resolution into effect had it not been that 

62 


Billy IVhiskers at the Fair 

at this juncture he spied a great mass of red, yellow, blue and green 
balls floating m the air near by. 

They were such gaudy, attractive things that Billy determined 
to secure at least one, to take 
home to Dick as a memento of 
the day. He pushed on, and soon 
saw that they were all held in 
leash by one man, who was now 
in a heated argument with a little 
fellow not more than six or seven 
years old at the most. 

“I did give you a quarter!” 
he was explaining, while the street 
peddler emphatically shook his 
head and repeated: 

“No, no! But one dime, but 
one dime you did give to me. No, 

No! I give you your right 
change! ” 

“I want my money, I do!” 
wailed the boy, the angry tears beginning to 
stream down his chubby cheeks. 

“Those Turks are all browbeaters, and here seems to be one of 

63 



Billy Whiskers at the Fair 

the worst of his tribe/’ thought Billy. "Poor toddler, to lose his 
coveted quarter that way! I know how Dick has treasured up his 
Fair money, and I for one do not propose to stand idly by and see 
any boy treated so.” 

With this resolution Billy charged with one mighty butt into 
the wrangling Oriental. But what was this? Instead of a head-on 
collision, as Billy had anticipated, with a fleeing, howling victim, 
it was Billy himself who was in mad flight, with a mysterious some- 
thing tugging away at his horns, gently but nevertheless persistently 
pulling straight up . 

Now that is not the way a man holds a goat. They invariably 
push down , and Billy first grew impatient and then angry because he 
could not account for this strange feeling. 

He broke into a trot, thinking to rid himself of his tormentor, but 
that only served to attract a crowd of hilarious boys and girls, who 
ran screaming and screeching behind him. 

On he galloped, by this time at full speed, and quite reckless of 
consequences. Would he never be able to free himself? Louder 
and louder came the shouts of his pursuers, larger and larger the 
following until poor Billy, quite bewildered, decided to turn and 
"face the music” as Tom would express it. 

No sooner did he wheel about than there was a wild scattering, 
and it was only one boy, more venturesome than the rest, who 

64 



LOUDER AND LOUDER CAME THE SHOUTS OF HIS PURSUERS. 


















w 




























































































































Billy IVhiskers at the Fair 

braved the threatened danger and marched boldly up to our Billy. 

Imagine, if you can, the amazement of the boys and girls to see 
him pat Billy on the head with impunity, and then capture the huge 
bunch of toy balloons that had so frightened him with their bobbing 
about. But their wonder lasted no longer, and they pounced on the 
rescuer and demanded a share of the plunder. He proved to be a 
generous lad, and was gladly distributing the gaudy things among 
the clamoring youngsters when the peddler, with face every bit as 
red as the scarlet fez which topped it, came upon the scene, panting 
and puffing. 

He threw his arms up in the air, bellowed his wrath, and then 
descended upon the children to claim his wares. Knowing too well 
the folly of remaining, they scattered to the four winds, and left the 
Turk to nurse his anger as best he might. 

Billy the brave had not thought it wise to stay for all this, but 
as soon as he saw victory assured for the children, betook himself 
off. 

“ I’m so hungry that my horns rattle, and it is high time that 
I’m nearing the automobile,” thought he, bending his steps toward 
the green circle inside the race course, where many vehicles were 
left for the day. 

“ Most likely Mr. Treat thought that the safest place for the new 
machine, so I’ll look thereabouts first,” decided the goat, crossing 

67 


Billy IVhiskers at the Fair 

the track and squirming under the fence. “Anyway, it’s not so 
crowded over here, and I can lay down and rest. Goodness knows, 
what with babies and boys to rescue, I’m somewhat overworked 
and very weary, and need a nap soon after lunch!” 

He was carefully picking his way between carry-alls, buggies 
and the more pretentious surreys to the farther end of the circle 
when he spied an automobile close at hand. 

“Can’t tell whether or not that is ours until I’m near enough to 
see the hamper. I’m better acquainted with that than with any 
other part of the automobile,” he was musing, but brought up short 
as he discovered a figure suspiciously resembling that of motherly 
Mrs. Treat hurrying along a few yards ahead. 

“Dear, dear! This will never do! I’ll have to make a flank 
movement *^nd come up to the base of supplies before she does,” 
and with a flirt of his stubby tail, he galloped off in double quick 
time, takVg a roundabout way toward the automobile. 

“Now when the attack of the fort is made, I’ll capture that 
hamper by quick assault and retreat with my prize v, : th all possible 
speed,” he planned, but alas! as he was about to make the raid, he 
found the foe already on the ground. 

“Well, they say it’s an ill wind that blows no one good,” gloated 
Billy. “Even if I do lose my dinner, I v/111 have the satisfaction 
of seeing Mrs. Treat find out how I came to attend the Fair. Hope 

68 


Billy Whiskers at the Fair 

i 

she lifts the lid — oh, my! see her face! Isn’t it lucky for one William 
Whiskers that he’s a safe distance away? Why, how, what is she 
doing?” as she began to scatter neat, tissue-wrapped packages 
right and left. 

“It can’t be that she’s throwing all that luscious stuff away! 
I nibbled just a wee bit at it, to be sure, but plenty was left for their 
dinner. But here is where I lay in my ammunition for my afternoon 
campaign,” and with that he made his way to the automobile, ar- 
riving on the scene soon after Mrs. Treat, bubbling over with right- 
eous indignation at her untimely discovery of the pilfered feast, 
hurried away with her ample, but exceedingly light lunch basket. 

As you may happen to know, goats are not as fastidious as might 
be wished about their food, and what appeared the height of luxury 
to Billy had been scorned by the mistress of the Treat household as 
unfit to grace their table. The marks of Billy’s depredations were 
all too plain to be mistaken, and fully half the lunch had been dis- 
carded because Billy had poked his inquisitive nose into it. 

“My mother taught her kids that extravagance is a sin, and to 
waste good food like this must be very wicked indeed. If I should 
leave it here to be tramped under foot, I’d not be able to rest easy 
for ever and ever so long. My conscience would prick me for not 
heeding my dear mother’s teaching, and that is about the worst pun- 
ishment that can come to goat or man,” pondered Billy, as sand- 

69 


Billy IVhiskers at the Fair 

wiches, pickles, doughnuts, olives, and other goodies disappeared 
as if by magic. 

‘‘Now for a drink, and I’m ready for the afternoon. Of course, 
there’ll be many more people here in the afternoon, just as the 
evening crowds at the circus were always so much greater than those 
at the matinee performance. Large crowds make you step lively in 
order to keep up with the procession, and, fortified by forty winks 
of sleep, I’ll be equal to anything.” 


70 


CHAPTER VI 


THE FORTUNE TELLER 

FTER Billy had quenched his thirst at a watering trough 
roughly hewn out of the trunk of an enormous chestnut 
tree and filled to brimming with cool, sparkling water 
piped from a bubbling spring not far off, he felt a longing 
for a nap, for so strong had the habit of an afternoon snooze become 
that even with all the hubbub of a county fair about him, with all 
the gay banterings of the jostling people, with the toots of the horns 
and the squawks of the squawkers, Billy was undeniably sleepy, and 
a yawn brought him to the realization of how very much he needed 
a rest. 

.“I remember seeing some hay in a bam over near the grand- 
stand, and I will make that serve as my couch,” he was planning 
when his further progress was checked for a moment by a crowd 
surrounding a haranguing fakir. Billy was impatient at this de- 
lay, and fretted and fumed. 

“Some people lose every vestige of good manners the moment 
they're one of a crowd,” he grumbled, but a second later and he, too, 
was guilty of this very thing, and was just as eager to push his way 



Billy IVhiskers at the Fair 

to the front as any of the people whom he had been berating. No 
thought of sleep now troubled him; no thought of politeness, either, 
judging by the reckless way he was forging ahead. 

What was it that worked this sudden change? Let us accompany 
Billy as he wriggles and squirms and wriggles again, steadily pushing 
his way forward, for there in the center of the group is a very queer 
looking individual. 

He is taller than most men, but this may be because his head 
is swathed in a high turban, the gayly colored cloth being wound 
around and around his head in soft, voluminous folds, underneath 
which peers out a typical Oriental face with snapping dark eyes, 
and teeth gleaming like ivory, while a crafty smile plays about his 
thin lips. 

He carries an enormous pen holder, fully two inches in diameter 
and eighteen inches long. He has just explained how he is able to 
do wondrous things with the Magic Pen, as he calls it, and is now 
screwing it together, having shown the bystanders that it is merely 
a hollow tube, with nothing concealed in it, yet possessed of 
wonderful power. 

As he distributes sheets of paper and pencils among his listeners, 
he cries: 

“Write your initials plainly. Then the Magic Pen will tell your 
fortune. It will reveal your past, and it will foretell your future. 

72 


Billy Whiskers at the Fair 

The Magic Pen sees all. The Magic Pen knows all. Sign your 
initials! Sign, sign, sign!” 

As he passes the paper, he catches sight of Billy, and laughingly 


bestows on him paper and 
merriment of the crowd, 
“They are mak- 
that much I know, 
and with that Billy 
initials, holding/^ 
mouth, and using 
the paper on the 
sure, they are 
a beginner’s, 
in penmanship, 
more highly edu- 
kind, would never have 
the art had it not 
exhaustible patience of 
ed horse traveling with the 


pencil, much to the 

^ ing fun of me, 
- Well, we’ll retaliate,” 
begins to trace his 
the pencil in h is 
one foot to hold 
ground. To be 
crude and look like 
for goats are not skilled 
and Billy, though much 
cated than most of his 
picked up so much of 
for the kindness and in- 
Smart Jim, the educat- 
Circus. He had de- 
voted long hours to teaching Billy, with the result that he is now 
able to write the two letters rather creditably. 

It is impossible to describe the surprise pictured on the faces 
of the onlookers as Billy picks up the lead pencil and, carefully ad- 

73 



Billy IVhiskers at the Fair 

justing it between his teeth, bends over and writes those two sig- 
nificant letters. They go mad with delight, and clamor: 

“The goat’s fortune! Tell the goat’s fortune!” 

“The Magic Pen is able to do even that,” and the boasting fel- 
low rolls up the paper with a great show of care. 

Unscrewing the pen holder, he places the sheet inside the tube, 
securely fastens it, twirls it in the air, and while repeating this 
weird incantation: 

“Magic Pen, reveal to me 
All this creature is to be ; 

All he is to do, to see, 

Oh, Magic Pen, reveal to me. ” 

he gives it a final toss high into the air, deftly catching it as it falls, 
and opening it, unfurls the paper. 

He first passes it to two or three for close inspection, and then 
reads aloud: 

“B. W. is endowed with altogether extraordinary talents. He 
has a large amount of curiosity, and often butts into other people’s 
business.” 

“That I do,” chuckles Billy, “though I butt into them quite as 
much and as often as into their affairs!” 

“ He was bom on the continent.” 

74 


Billy Whiskers at the Fair 

‘'Right again,” shouts Billy, though the crowd think he is 
merely bleating, but we who, understand goat language know much 
better. 

“And his future seems in some mysterious way to be connected 
with China.” 

“ Suppose I’m going to travel again,” muses Billy at this infor- 
mation. 

“B. W. will rise to a great height in the world, but this may 
be followed by a fall. Sudden fame is also foretold, and, having 
been bom under a lucky star, he may venture much and gain even 
more. Thus saith the Magic Pen.” 

“Now 111 salt that down in my memory’s storehouse, and see if 
the Magic Pen really knows anything. I’ve always thought people 
silly who believed in signs and such things, but, come to think of it, 
I did walk under a ladder just before Harry gave me that beating 
as a punishment because I butted the Duke of Windham around the 
barnyard a bit for being too obstreperous and presuming too far on 
our good nature. Perhaps, after all, there is some virtue in signs 
and fortunes.” 

“By the way, speaking of the Duke reminds me that he is on 
these grounds, and I must find him and have a little chat. He will 
be glad to see some of the home folks, I know.” 

If ever you have attended a county fair, you know that it is 

75 


Billy Whiskers at the Fair 

very easy to locate the cattle exhibits, for they are invariably in stalls 
or sheds at one end of the grounds, and what with the cackling of 
the chickens, squealing of the pigs, and all of the many peculiar and 
distinctive calls of the farm animals, there is not much chance of 
losing your way. Billy, of course, walked straight to the stalls, for 
animals seem to know instinctively how to find one another. 


First he came to the pigs, 
pigs you never saw. At least, 
ugly things, for he 
maculate that he 
creatures who had no 
and pig s — U g h ! 
the mud and the 
So Billy now 
head to one side and 
until there, right under 
cunning, fat little thing, 



and such piggy looking 
Billy thought them 
himself was so im- 
scorned other 
personal pride, 
How they do love 
mire! 

merely tilted his 
hurried on unseeing, 


his feet, was the most 
with a little pink, trembly nose. 
Plainly it was in sore distress, and in great need of instant care and 
sympathy. Without one moment’s hesitation, Billy conquered 
his aversion to the pig family, and up he marched, and gently 
rubbed his nose along piggy’s back — his only way of caressing. 
Billy next inquired the cause of all the trouble, and piggy only 
grunted his reply, but that was enough for Billy to comprehend, 

7 6 


Billy Whiskers at the Fair 

and very tenderly did he lift the fat little roll by the nape of the 
neck — the only way there seemed to be to hold him — and carried 
him back to his mother, who also grunted to express her relief at 
the restoration of her lost baby. 

“I’ll not remain to receive my thanks,” thought Billy, as he 
dropped the little pig over into the pen. “That’s not my way of 
doing good,” and he was off in further search of the Duke of 
Windham. 

That worthy was proudly pacing his narrow stall when he spied 
friend Billy approaching. 

“Ah, here comes His Highness, Sir Billy. I’ll not let him see 
how I chafe to be out of this box; no, not for a minute would I con- 
fess to him how irksome are the hours I have spent here,” and so, 
when Billy arrived, he was munching hay and looking the acme of 
contentment. 

“Good afternoon, Duke,” began Billy. “I’d not been on these 
fair grounds ten minutes until I began to look for you. Old friends 
ought not to forget each other, and I knew you would be glad to see 
some of your home folks. What a vantage point you chose, away up 
here on this hill where you can see all over the Fair! ” he continued, 
as he turned to take in the panorama before him. “Indeed, you 
have a better view of the race course than many have in the grand- 
stand itself,” and with such subtle flattery Billy sought to ingratiate 

77 


Billy IVhiskers at the Fair 

himself with the calf, who at once beamed his delight and most 
graciously responded: 

“Yes, I’ve had a fine day of it. And you see this blue ribbon 
round my neck? That means that I’m the winner of the first 
prize,” and the vain Duke began turning and twisting in a useless 
effort to secure one glimpse of the tag that had caused so many to 
stop and admire him during the day. 

“It’s no surprise to me to see you wearing that, Duke. The 
Treat boys know far too much to waste their time feeding and curry- 
ing a beast that is not blue-blooded. And you have been their 
special pride this season, that I know.” 

“Well, it is no secret that Tom is my favorite, and he did give 
me numberless curryings and rubbings down this summer. My 
coat is as smooth and glossy as any thoroughbred could wish, and 
my markings are especially fine, I fancy. That star on my forehead, 
now, is near perfect, don’t you think?” waiting eagerly for further 
approbation. 

“To let you into a secret,” replied sly Billy, “I’ve made the en- 
tire rounds, but there’s nothing here that can hold a candle to your 
beauty. That’s my candid opinion. You know I’m not one to 
flatter, and you can depend on my word.” 

“Such appreciation of one’s good points deserves some sub- 
stantial recognition,” thought the Duke, and so he said: 

78 


Billy JVhiskers at the Fair 

“By the way, Billy, are you going to stay over night? If so, 
I’ll be proud to have you as my guest, for my quarters here are 
plenty large enough to accommodate you.” 

“That is just like your generous self,” replied the goat. “And 
while I had thought to return to Cloverleaf Farm at nightfall, the 
prospect of being entertained by you leads me to change my plans. 
I’ll be more than delighted to accept, and will be back soon after 
twilight.” 

“Yes, that might be best, for the keepers feed us about six o’clock, 
and if you were found here, they might not like it. However, I shall 
save my supper until you arrive, and then we will dine together.” 

“Agreed! I’ll be off now, and thank you again for your most 
hospitable offer.” 


79 




CHAPTER VII 


THE LAUGHING GALLERY 

KNOW not what other people think about the matter, but 
there is nothing in this wide, wide world so useful to me 
as flattery,” meditated Billy after leaving the Duke of 
Windham. “It will bring quicker returns than anything 
else, and I fancy that with this weapon I can conquer almost any 
foe. 

“Now the Duke of Windham has not the faintest idea that my 
call was made for the sole reason that I wanted a comfortable lodging 
for the night, and that I had planned my visit with care. He is con- 
gratulating himself on his bigness of heart this very moment, that 
I’ll wager. Anyway, my object is attained, and now I can enjoy 
myself with no thought or dread of the night. The time was when 
I did not think anything of spending a night in the open, but then it 
is not so much that I’m growing old as it is these disagreeable, 
rheumatism-breeding fogs that accompany the October nights.” 

Billy disliked to acknowledge even to himself that old age was 
creeping on apace, and that it was necessary to have extra care if 
he would enjoy good health 



81 



Billy BFhiskers at the Fair 

‘ ‘ Who can explain why all the people are hurrying and scurrying 
so? They act as crazy as loons, and that is no exaggeration. ’ ’ 

Just then a raindrop hit Billy spitefully on the tip of the nose, 
and others pelted him on the back. 

“Ah, ha! So this is the trouble, is it? I’ve been so deep in 
thought that I’ve not cast a glance at the sky, but the outlook is 
that we will have a little rain storm. Clouds like that great black 
bank there in the west mean something to me. Ho, ho! And some 
Fourth of July effects thrown in! ” chuckled the goat as a vivid flash 
of lightning was quickly followed by a reverberating roll of thunder. 

“The greatest fun I know is watching a crowd caught in a storm. 
I’ll stroll along and enjoy it to the full extent.” 

Billy did not realize how impolite it is to make light of another’s 
distress. His mother, I fear, had been negligent in his training on 
this point of etiquette. 

“Did you ever see anything one-half so laughable as that old 
lady? See her picking her way along, skirts held high, revealing her 
gaudy hosiery. They look as Dutch as my old master Hans — red 
and dark blue is the color combination I do believe! Why doesn’t 
the goosie put up her umbrella instead of holding it so tightly under 
her arm? Forgotten that she was wise enough to bring it, I suppose. 
Guess I will follow her a way and see the excitement she’s bound to 
create.” 


82 


Billy hVhiskers at the Fair 

Taking up his position immediately behind her, he began the 
chase, for he found it such, experiencing some difficulty to keep 
at her heels as she dodged first this way and then that, in and out, 
in a frantic attempt to push her way quickly through the hurrying 
throng, all jostling, all wet, all bedraggled, but all good-humored, 
taking the sudden downpour in good part. 

In fact, there is nothing more infectious than the good spirits 
of a fair-day crowd. Nothing is sufficient to upset their equanimity, 
and although in nine seasons out of ten there is a shower or a steady, 
cold drizzle which plays havoc with new fall millinery, suits and foot- 
wear, each year sees everyone bravely arrayed in their best bibs and 
tuckers as if tempting the weather man to do and send his worst. 

Country maidens were there, all bedight in bright colored finery, 
blushing under the escort of brawny farm lads whose genial faces 
wore the ruddy glow of perfect health, youth and happiness peeping 
through the thick coat of tan left by old Sol’s summer visits as they 
toiled harvesting the golden wheat and later in cornfield and potato 
patch. 

Business men in their trim, conventional clothes were likewise 
present, glad to see so many evidences of prosperity in the ex- 
hibits; glad, too, for the brief release from office and store. Their 
wives, some plainly arrayed, others with nodding plumes and rustling 
silks, flaunting their riches with pride, accompanied them.. 

83 


Billy IVhiskers at the Fair 

School girls and boys from the town were there, for this was 
“children's day” and no dull lessons called them. The whole coun- 
try was in festive spirits, but most of all the school children enjoyed 
the freedom from books and studies. 

All these, young and old, the rich and the poor, the honored and 
the humble, made up the throng now so eagerly seeking shelter from 
the driving storm, but Billy was far too much engrossed in his pur- 
suit to have eyes for anything or anyone but the excited, blustering 
old woman he was tagging so persistently. 

“ She reminds me of the posters I see on every hand of the Dutch 
woman chasing after something with the big stick in her hand. 
Harry says it’s dirt she’s after, but Dick always asks, ‘ Well, where’s 
the dirt, then?’ ” 

“All this old lady needs is the wooden shoes, for she’s the stick 
and the stride already.” 

“Oh, no, you’ll not leave me so easily as that,” as she darted 
into a building. “I’m right after you,” and in he dodged, only to 
be confronted by a doorkeeper who was wrangling with the victim 
of Billy’s ridicule. 

“Vat you say? I geeve you von neekle alreaty. Now you say 
anodder? You vant the good leeking, young man, to dake some of 
your smartness out yet still!” her voice running the gamut of the 
scale in her excitement. 


84 



“I GEEVE YOU VON NEEKLE ALREATY. NOW YOU SAY AN ODDER ? ” 








































Billy Whiskers at the Fair 

“Ten cents is the price,” calmly replied the ticket-taker, “and 
it’s stretching the rules to let you in at all. You should be made 
to buy your ticket at the stand outside. We take no money here, 
and I’m doing wrong to admit you.” 

“Veil, veil, I’ll pay, I’ll pay! Dis rain it is so wery wet, or I 
spend not one cent mit you! ” 

She lifted her full petticoat, groped about for the hidden pocket 
and gingerly produced the second nickle. 

The two had been so much interested in their haggling over the 
admission fee that Billy was unnoticed as he crept stealthily around 
the German woman, scarcely breathing, so anxious was he to gain 
entrance. Now that he was effectively shielded from the door- 
keeper’s view by her voluminous skirts, he skurried on ahead. 

“This is very queer. I thought we were in a large building. 
But this seems to twist and turn and twist in a most bewildering 
and aggravating manner,” thought Billy, as he pushed rapidly for- 
ward through a narrow hallway. “I begin to think Mrs. Treat’s 
saying that ‘Things are not always what they seem,’ is pretty true. 
— Oh, me, what is this?” 

Billy was treading on something that swayed and rolled and 
pitched beneath him like the billows of an angry, boisterous sea and, 
indeed, he felt much like an inexperienced sailor on his maiden 
voyage who has not yet found his sea legs. 

87 


Billy Whiskers at the Fair 

“I — I — don’t like — this — buffeting. Wish — I was — well — out 
of — this! My stomach feels — too — shaky — for — comfort,” and in 
his eagerness to secure a stable footing, he made for the wall, lifting 
his fore feet very high and planting them very carefully and very, 
very firmly, trying to feel his way in the midnight blackness. At 
last he found the wall, or at least what he judged to be the wall, 
but it swayed away from him as he leaned against it for support, 
and the pitching and rolling and tumbling grew worse minute by 
minute. 

“A most provoking place, and I don’t see why anyone would pay 
a dime to get into such a fix!” he mumbled. “Wonder where the 
old lady is, and how she is enjoying her sea voyage. This is worse 
than crossing the stormy Atlantic.” 

Standing still brought no relief, and so Billy determined to forge 
ahead, and he resumed his perilous journey with a few excited bleats. 
Frightened cries from the front and rear followed. Billy repeated 
his bleating, and wilder grew the commotion. 

“It is dark as a dungeon in here, or else I would certainly face 
about and make for outdoors in double quick time. But as it is, 
I must go on. If I collided with anyone, it might prove the undoing 
of both of us, and I for one am not yet ready to end my career. I’ve 
just enough ginger left in me to want to see what lies at the end of 
all this.” 


88 


Billy IVhiskers at the Fair 

“Come to think of it, this must be the ‘unusual experience’ fore- 
told by the Magic Pen,” and Billy’s legs began to shake and his 
chin whiskers to tremble at fear of the unknown. 

“Pm not real sure but that I want to turn back and — ” but as 
he came to this conclusion he turned a comer in the labyrinth and 
emerged into a dazzle of light which blinded him for a minute after 
the Stygian darkness of the entrance way. 

Halting to get his bearings and to take a general survey of the 
room, Billy found a wonderful fairyland spread out before him. 

Myriads upon myriads of electric lights flooded the hall, reveal- 
ing wonder upon wonder, for everywhere were the queerest people. 
Some were giants, others were pigmies. Part were exceedingly 
tall, with necks stretching out like the giraffe’s at the zoo, lank arms 
and dangling hands, faces narrow, chins pointed and noses long 
enough to pry into the business of the whole world. Some, on the; 
other hand, were only two feet tall, but, strange to relate, they were 
as fat as the tall persons were lean — as fat as the man in the song: 

“He’s six feet one way, two feet tudder, 

An’ his coat won’t go half way round.” 

“Pudgy, I call ’em,” decided Billy with a wag of the head, turn- 
ing around to take a complete inventory of the room and its occu- 
pants. He brought up with a jerk, however, when he discovered 

89 


Billy Whiskers at the Fair 

his German woman immediately behind him, in excited conversation 
with another creature exactly like her. 

Violently she gesticulated with her large, green-covered um- 
brella, and just as violently did her counterpart wave her rain-stick 
and nod her head. 

“Vot you look like me for, eh?” the angry woman inquired. 
“ Ain't you any sense got? I vent hill up und hill down to get here 
and you come fun to make mid me. Eferyboty they just laugh und 
laugh at me all dis day, und I von’t haf it any more yet. You are 
Sherman, too, so then for why do you laugh?” 

'‘There’s just one time that I wish I had been made a boy in- 
stead of a goat. Ordinarily, goats have much better times than 
boys, but when I laugh so hard my fat sides ache, I wish for a pair 
of hands that I might hold them the way the Treat boys do when 
they’re mightily tickled. I’m sure I could laugh both harder and 
longer and enjoy it much more with such a convenience as hands 
about me,” thought Billy, as he watched this by-play, a broad grin 
spreading over his face. 

With a final threatening look, the woman turned and made off, 
but only to confront another equally German looking person a few 
feet farther on, who bore a striking resemblance to her. 

“Oh, Maggie, Maggie, don’t you know your own seester any 
more? How theen you haf got! Been seeck since I vent away from 

90 


Billy IVhiskers at the Fair 

home, Maggie? Shpeek to me, Maggie. ’Tis your own lofing 
Barbara you see,” putting out her arms to welcome her in a warm 
embrace. 

“Ha, ha, ha, ha!” laughed Billy uproariously. “It takes the 
Germans to get angry. Ha, ha! Look at her, she’s trying to hug 
her own image!” 









V 

* > 
















































. 




' 

■ 




' 




























' 












CHAPTER VIII 


BILLY HAS AN ENCOUNTER 

UCH a goosie as she is,” chuckled Billy in delight, “I shall 
not lose sight of — O-o-o-h!” his merriment changing to 
wonder, for there peeping from behind the skirts of the 
second woman was a handsome goat, whose coat was as 
white, whose horns were as long and well-shaped, whose very 
whiskers were as fine as Billy’s own. 

There were very few occasions and small reason for Billy Whiskers 
to envy individuals of his kind, for, as you have often been told, he 
was a king among goats. He was finer looking, had a better car- 
riage, was larger and stronger, he could leap farther and butt harder 
than ordinary goats, and so his proud position was not often ques- 
tioned, even though he sometimes grew overbearing and a trifle too 
boastful of his prowess. 

“O-o-oh!” he repeated, peeping out from the other side, only to 
find the other goat doing exactly the same thing. “ He’s a fine ani- 
mal, to be sure, and might prove a close rival. We’ll see how much 
backbone he has,” and Billy slowly advanced, stepping high and 



93 


Billy hVhiskers at the Fair 

tossing his proud head from side to side the better to display his 
good points. 

Goat Number Two likewise advanced, stepping just as high and 
lifting his head and tilting it provokingly to one side. 

“Ah, ha! So he’s going to show me he’s a thoroughbred, is he? 
Perhaps it might be well for me to make his acquaintance and have 
him for my friend,” weakening a little. “He’s sure to be a power 
wherever he may live.” 

Billy always did believe that it was a wise thing to make friends 
with those who occupied prominent positions. This policy put into 
effect had brought both adventure and many good berths to him, and 
so now it had become almost second nature to Billy to bind to him 
as close friends and allies all those he could not conquer. 

“Anyway, even if he proves as overbearing as he looks, it will 
be a great relief to talk to someone who can understand what I say. 
I am not accustomed to being without companions, especially since 
my Circus experience, and it’s lonesome without a companion to 
share my pleasures.” 

Bleating his greeting, Billy advanced with a smile. Billy the 
Second nodded, but no answering bleat opened the way to conver- 
sation. 

“ I must admit that he’s rather offish and high and mighty. He 
could at least pass the time of day,” thought Billy, unused to having 

94 


Billy IVhiskers at the Fair 

his friendly overtures met so coldly. “What shall I do to bring his 
High Mightiness down from his throne?” and Billy half closed his 
eyes in thought. 

“Well, the impudent rascal! I do believe he’s mimicking me to 
arouse my wrath. I’ll prove it to my entire satisfaction and then 
I will give him the punishment such behavior deserves. ” 

There followed a series of advances, retreats and side steppings 
in which Billy’s adversary proved an adept, closely imitating Billy’s 
every move. 

Jealousy began to grow in Billy’s heart, and, what is more, for 
the first time in all his life Billy was AFRAID. Yes, he really 
doubted his ability to conquer this foe in a fair fight, and the longer 
he hesitated about closing with the enemy, the greater hold did this 
fear have on him. 

Were not those horns most splendid specimens? Of what would 
they not be capable in battle? 

Was not this goat strong of limb and well-nigh perfect in every 
po int ? 

Did not those eyes fairly gleam with fighting zeal? And the 
nostrils tremble with repressed excitement of the coming con- 
test? 

As many a wise general has evaded the enemy rather than risk 
a battle when little would be gained if victory perched on his banners 

95 


Billy IVhiskers at the Fair 

and much would be lost if defeat met him, so Billy now decided 
that discretion demanded withdrawal, and he quietly covered his 
retreat by using the German woman and the ever-moving crowd as a 
shield. 

“This is the first time Billy Whiskers has ever waved the white 
feather,” he mused, hanging his head for very shame as he thought 
of the cowardice of his actions. “I can never, never redeem my- 
self and — and, say, wouldn’t all my friends deride me if they knew? 
But I shall hide my disgrace and keep it a close secret. Even old 
Browny at the Farm shall never know, and I tell him most every- 
thing I do or think.” 

“Reputation is a great thing in this world, but self-esteem is 
better,” he philosophized. “/ shall always know that away down 
deep in the very bottom of my heart I am a coward, and that is what 
hurts. I am half tempted this minute to return and give battle 
even if — but hello, there he is and the opportunity to redeem myself 
is here!” 

With that Billy was off like a rocket, and made his onslaught 
without a moment to consider what the result might be. 

With one leap he dashed at the goat, struck something hard — 
and crash fell the mirror, for Billy had charged his own likeness 
in the Laughing Gallery. Enraged by the noise of the falling of the 
shattered glass, he plunged back to renew the contest. There 

96 


Billy IVhiskers at the Fair 

before him stood his foe unharmed, with head lowered and as eager 
for the fray as he. 

Once more forward, once more only the 
impact with the splintered glass, and then 
another backward leap to locate his slippery 
enemy. 

“Ah, ha! You won’t escape me the third 
time, my fine friend,” mumbled Billy, 
with blood ih his eye, gazing 
steadfastly into Billy the Sec- 
ond’s, where gleamed the 
, undaunted spirit. 

“Come on ! 
Come on! Fight 
fair!” bellowed Billy, 
renewing the fray — and the 
pier-glass was in 



“Clear the room 
body out!” rang the 
the command, for those 


Clear the room! Every- 
cry, but small need to issue 
who had come to laugh had 


departed quickly, as eager to be out and away from the scene of 
strife as the burly, blue-coated officer was to have them. 

97 


Billy IVhiskers at the Fair 

“Hi, there, goat!” he shouted, and at the summons Billy turned 
to see the officer bearing swiftly down upon him. 

“I know his type too well,” was his quick thought, and he 
wheeled, spied the door, and was out in the open air, now one of the 
crowd, now skulking back of the buildings, dodging in and out be- 
tween the small tents to evade all possible pursuit. Once when the 
search grew too harrassing for comfort, he even took refuge beneath 
a building which was set on piles. He had to crawl under and lay 
perfectly flat and quiet, for cruel nails and long slivers of wood 
from the rough sills caught his coat and caused him exquisite pain 
whenever he ventured to move. 

“I would like to know how the other goat fared,” he thought. 
“Perhaps they’ve caught him — hope they have. And will punish 
him — hope they do. He was about the most impudent piece of 
goathood I’ve ever met, so there!” and Billy wagged his head 
sagely. 

He remained in safe hiding until all grew quiet — no murmur 
from the passing crowds, no shouts and calls of fakirs hawking their 
wares. The gloomy part of the day, when darkness falls without 
a sunset to mark its close, had come ere he poked his head out, 
cautiously glanced around, and found that in truth the grounds were 
deserted. 


98 


CHAPTER IX 


A NIGHT WITH THE DUKE 


D 


ON’T you think it is the first duty of a guest to be punctual? 
Especially a dinner guest?” was the Duke of Windham’s 
greeting as Billy knocked on his stall door for admit- 
tance. 

“And do you think it according to the rules of etiquette for a 
host to remind his guest of his shortcomings in such a fashion as this? ” 
retorted the glib Billy. 

“I’ve misplaced the key to the door of my house, so you’ll have 
to jump,” said the Duke, ignoring Billy’s question. “I’m very 
sorry, but then I know you are an expert at leaping and vaulting, so it 
will not inconvenience you as it might old Browny, for example.” 

“ Not at all, not at all, ” returned Billy, and with one light bound 
he was over and beside the Duke, and they were cordially greeting 
each other. 

“Now, Will-ywm, into what mischief have you been this after- 
noon?” queried the Duke, shaking his head to show his disapproval 
of any escapade. 


99 


Billy IVhiskers at the Fair 

“Been on my good behavior all day, I would have you to know 
— and didn’t find it half so dull as I had anticipated.” 

“Come, come, old fellow, none of that. You might as well con- 
fess first as last. There is a suspicious cut over your left eye which 
wasn’t there when you called early this afternoon. Besides, you’re 
all over shavings. There’s a story back of it, I’m sure.” 

“If you must have it, old pry, when the storm gathered, I en- 
countered the most laughable old woman,” and with a chuckle of in- 
tense enjoyment at the recollection, he launched forth into the story 
of the Laughing Gallery episode, and it lost nothing by the telling. 

“Do have some of this sweet clover for dessert,” pressed the Duke 
as Billy finished the recital. “The flavor is delicious, I think.” 

Billy accepted a liberal portion of the dainty, and the Duke, 
feeling it his bounden duty to reprove his friend for his prank, 
looked very solemn and began: 

“Billy Whiskers, it seems to me that a goat of your broad ex- 
perience ought to have better sense than you possess, and you’re a 
disgrace to Cloverleaf Farm!” 

“Don’t preach to me! You’re not an example I’d care to fol- 
low!” 

“Which reminds me to ask if anything has occurred at Clover- 
leaf Farm since my departure,” calmly finished the Duke. 

“Um — um,” from Billy, as he busily munched the scented hay. 


ioo 


Billy IVhiskers at the Fair 

“Um um, I guess there has! More than I can begin to tell you 
before our bedtime!” 

“I’m all ears, as the donkey would say,” and the calf playfully 
tweaked Billy to hurry him with the news. 

“ In the first place, the automobile arrived the afternoon of the 
day you departed for this Fair. That is how it happens I’m here,” 
and Billy wiggled his ears and rolled his eyes to watch the effect of 
this on the Duke. 

He was disappointed. There stood the prize calf calmly chewing 
away, all unmindful of the fact that he was expected to be over- 
whelmed at the statement. 

“Yes, I came in the automobile,” repeated pompous Billy. 

Still no evidence of surprise from the Duke. 

“ I came to the Fair in the new machine,” almost thundered the 
goat. 

“Well, and / came in the wagon . The main thing is we’re here, 
not how we came. You may proceed with your story, little Mr. 
Puff-ball.” 

“If you’re going to be impertinent, I think I’ll go home for the 
night, after all,” Billy decided, and was even edging toward the door 
of the stall, slowly to be sure, but still moving in that direction. 

“Don’t be foolish, Billy! You always carry a chip on the tip 
of your horns. See, here is a nice, soft bed waiting and ready for 


IOI 


Billy JVhiskers at the Fair 

us. You may have that comer where the straw is the thickest, ” 
and mollified by this generosity and evidence of great good will, 
Billy settled himself comfortably for the night. 

“Pleasant dreams,” from the goat. 

“Sweet sleep,” from the calf, and all was quiet. 

“Say!” hailed Billy so soon as he was sure the Duke was well on 
the road to dreamland. 

“Uh-huh,” sleepily. 

“Duke, wake up, you sleepyhead,” urged Billy. 

“What’s the matter now?” impatiently inquired the calf, yawn- 
ing and stretching in the hope that the goat would take pity on him 
and leave him to his slumbers. 

“ I must tell you a story I heard yesterday.” 

“Well, out with it quick!” 

“The machinist who brought the automobile told it to Mr. Treat, 
and it’s surely a good one. 

“It seems that over in York State they have a lot of foolish 
rules about speed limits and so on, and this man was touring last 
summer and experienced all sorts of trouble about it. He was 
spinning along a fine stretch of level country road one day, and 
noticed that he passed several men as he neared the outskirts of a 
small town. Well, these men proved to be outposts set to nab 
speedy automobile drivers, and they telephoned on to the next guard. 


102 


Billy IVhiskers at the Fair 

So when he was just about to enter the town, there was an officer 
standing directly in the center of the roadway, waving his arms and 
calling on him to stop. 

As he blocked the highway, of course the driver drew up, and 
after finding that he was making better time than the rules allowed, 
he courteously invited the deputy to get in and ride along to the 
mayor’s office. The blue coat was only too glad to accept. In 
he jumped and away sped the car. Gradually the driver put on 
power until they were tearing along at a mad pace, much faster, in 
fact, than he had hit it up out in the country. 

“ ‘ Hold on, there! ’ cautioned the officer. ‘Too fast, young man, 
entirely too fast!’ 

“ ‘Oh, no, sir! You see, I’m so anxious to get there and have 
it over. ’ 

“ ‘But — but, sir, you’ve already passed the city hall!’ remon- 
strated the man. 

“ ‘Well, well, so I have. Guess I’ll have to take you on to the 
next town now. You see the machine is going so fast I really can’t 
stop!’ 

“ ‘Can’t stop?’ exploded the arm of the law. ‘I tell you you’ll 
pay dearly for this trick. Dearly, I say! Let me out! Let me out! ’ 
almost choking with rage. 

“ ‘Certainly, my dear sir,’ as the auto slowed down. ‘Much 

103 


Billy Whiskers at the Fair 

joy to you on your return trip. I hope the sun isn’t too hot and the 
road too dusty!’ he remarked as he deposited the sputtering fellow 
three miles from the town limits, with no alternative but to walk the 
weary distance.” 

As he finished, Billy was convulsed with silent laughter, but the 
Duke never so much as smiled to show his appreciation of the tale. 
He looked solemnly at Billy and wagged his head. 

“Young fellow, it would have served that driver right if his car 
had been confiscated, and he’d been compelled to walk to his desti- 
nation. These automobile people as a rule are altogether too reck- 
less. I hope Mr. Treat will escape the speed fever.” 

“You’re doomed to be sadly disappointed, then,” retorted Billy, 
confidently. 

“I can’t believe Mr. Treat will so far forget himself as to go 
racing madly about the country in his automobile, frightening the 
poor cattle and horses half out of their wits. Why!” and the Duke 
waxed indignant at the memory, “do you know, Billy Whiskers, as 
I was coming to the Fair yesterday, I saw a poor chicken laying all 
mangled in the road, the victim of one of those idiotic auto enthu- 
siasts?” 

“And do you know, Your Highness, that we made several chick- 
ens step lively and use their wings a bit beside, on the way to the 


104 


Billy hVhiskers at the Fair 

Fair to-day? And, remember, this is your master’s first time out,” 
Billy replied, prodding the calf in the ribs in a playful mood. 

“I’ll not believe it!” championed loyal Duke. “Mr. Treat has 
far too much thought of the comfort of farm animals to make them 
suffer so. Let’s go to sleep, I say! ” fetching a yawn. 

“All right,” agreed Billy, and they settled themselves once more, 
each to his particular liking. 

The Duke had given his first snore — if you don’t believe that 
calves snore, just go out to the bam late some night next summer 
when you’re visiting in the country, and listen to all the queer 
sleepy sounds of the animals and you’ll agree with me that calves 
do snore. 

Yes, Billy waited until the Duke had given his first good-sized 
snore, when he lifted his head and called: 

“Say, Duke! Duke, I say!” 

“W-e-1-1?” drowsily. 

“Duke!” repeated the goat in sharp staccato. 

“ Y — e — e — s!” in a long drawn out yawn. 

“I merely forgot to say good-night, and since you’re such a 
stickler on manners, thought I’d tell you that you had omitted it, 
too.” 

“Good-night!” snapped the Duke, “and don’t let me hear an 
other word from you till daylight!” 

10 5 



CHAPTER X 
TOPPY TO THE FORE 


HE top o’ the mamin’ to yez!” Billy called to the Duke the 
next morning as the first faint streaks of dawn tinged the 
east with a ruddy glow. 

Goats are no sluggards about arising. In fact, they 
are wide awake with the first crowing of the first chanticleer. 

“The same to you, and may this be your lucky day,” was the 
Duke’s equally amiable reply. 

“I’ve been thinking,” said Billy, “while I’ve been waiting for you 
to waken — I myself roused hours ago — that I may as well take 
myself off before the keepers make their rounds. I suppose they 
come early. Am I right?” 

“Well, yesterday it was about six, and I suppose that is the usual 
time.” 

“Then I’ll be up and away, with many, many thanks, my dear 
Duke, for the pleasant time you’ve given me. I cannot express 
my appreciation in mere words.” 

“But, Billy, do have just a bite of breakfast first,” urged his 
host. “Surely you can stay long enough for that! See, here’s 

107 



Billy IVhiskers at the Fair 

some of that tender clover hay that you enjoyed so much last 
night.” 

“Now you mention it, I believe I will, though I’ve not any ap- 
petite so early in the day.” 

Stepping up in front of the rudely constructed manger, Billy 
began to nibble at the hay. As he continued, the Duke watched 
him out of the comer of his eye, first glancing at Billy, now busily 
gorging himself, and then again at the rapidly diminishing pile of 
hay, then at the hay and again back at Billy. He decided to 
remonstrate and began : — 

“Billy!” 

No response. 

“Oh, I say, Billy!” 

“Um,” from the occupied goat. 

“But Billy! I say, Bill-**!” 

“Uh-huh, what is it?” 

“You remind me of Mrs. Treat.” 

“Ido? How?” 

“You remind me of Mrs. Treat and a saying that’s so often on 
her lips.” 

“She’s most always talking, and so it’s not strange I don’t even 
now see any connection.” 

“You know,” the Duke explained, “she says she’d much rather 

108 


Billy H^hiskers at the Fair 

feed six men who confessed they were hungry as bears than one who 
declared he couldn’t eat a bite.” 

“Well?” queried the goat, still busy at the manger. 

“ I’ve begun to think it ought to be a dozen to one when the pro- 
verb is applied to goats!” 

“You do, eh? Which reminds me of a story.” 

“Out with it then,” commanded the Duke. 

“There was once a pet calf on the Treat farm, or so I’ve been 
told, who was such a greedy youngster that Tom, his owner, never 
dared to set the pail of milk down and leave it for him to drink. 
If he did, that calf would invariably plunge his nose to the very 
bottom, and in his unseemly haste would bunt the pail, over it 
would go and he would lose all. 

“One day Tom carried a large wooden pail of rich, sweet milk 
out to the young apple orchard where the calf was kept with two pet 
lambs, and he waited until the calf should finish his drinking. Now 
that calf plunged down and drank deep and long, never stopping 
until he was compelled to raise his head for air. And then how he 
spluttered and blew the milk out through his nostrils! In his hurry 
to recover his breath, some milk went down his wind-pipe and 
such a fuss! He commenced to choke and cough, and his fat sides 
began to bloat. Tom raced to the bam for Chris, the hired man, 
who hurried to the rescue. As soon as he saw the calf’s lolling 

109 


Billy IVhiskers at the Fair 

tongue, wobbly legs and bulging sides, he went for the buggy whip 
and they ran that down his throat. Then, breaking off an apple 
branch, Chris used it to urge the calf to keep on the move and around 
and around that orchard they circled until every bit of the bloating 
had disappeared. Let — me — see,” pondered the goat, as if rack- 
ing his brains, “ I believe they do say his name was the Duke of Wind- 
ham. And now that very self-same goat dares to stand up and 
preach about the wickedness of greediness! Oh me!” 

Billy pretended to be boiling over with rage, though really 
not a whit disturbed, and, taking the very last wisp of hay in his 
mouth, chewed it slowly, as if it was too good to lose any of the 
pleasure by hurrying, all the time glowering frightfully at the Duke. 

“You’re a heathen! You’ve no glimmering of the first rules 
of politeness, and deserve just this — ” 

But the nimble Duke was ready for a frolic, and cleared Billy’s 
back as neatly as most boys do when playing leap-frog. 

Over and over Billy charged, but each time Duke escaped by 
using the light leap. They were in the very midst of the fun, and 
had forgotten all about the dreaded morning visit of the keeper, 
when the rattle of a key in the padlock gave warning. Billy heard — 
and instantly Billy knew what it meant. In pure self-defence, to 
escape sure capture and tedious imprisonment, the goat backed to 
the farther comer and quickly made ready. 


no 


Billy Whiskers at the Fair 


Back swung the gate and in came a tall, slender youth. Billy 
felt a qualm or two about his real right to attack so delicate a boy, 
but when he saw the lad take a glance around and quickly turn to 
flee at sight of a goat cornered as he was, he decided such cow- 
ardly action deserved a drubbing, and with a 
bound he took the fellow just below the knees. 
His joints worked beautifully, Billy 
thought, for he collapsed in a 
heap on Billy’s broad back, and 
his long arms flew out for some sup- 
port, and his longer legs first dangled on 
the ground and then flailed the 
air, conforming to every motion 
of the beast beneath him. 

4 ‘ Ouch ! Ouch ! ’ ’ groaned 

Billy, after having made several un- 
even leaps and bounds, the better to show 
' his rider the advantage of a goat over all 



other steeds. 

“ Ouch! Ouch! He’s holding on by my coat! He’s pulling my 
hair out by its very roots. He has no humanity not a bit! 
wailed Billy. 

That the tables were merely turned had not occurred to Billy, 


hi 


Billy IVhiskers at the Fair 

nor the fact that he was receiving only a fraction of the discomfort 
he was giving. 

“Ill not stand it! I’ll not have it! Ouch! Ouch! He’s 
caught my tail, he has! Ouch!” 

Billy was mad. Not angry, but furiously mad. And gathering 
all his strength, he made one high backward leap, turned a com- 
plete somersault, and his victim described a circle, too, landing in a 
deep mud puddle, left by the storm of the day before. 

The fellow had no more than realized what had befallen him 
than Billy was upon his feet and charging at him. That he had 
chosen a muddy seat seemed no very great disadvantage to Billy. 
In fact, he now determined to give him a mud bath, and first he 
prodded him on one side and then on the other. All the fight the 
fellow ever possessed had fled when he saw that magnificent pair of 
horns bearing down on him. He screened his eyes with his hands 
and gave himself up to the tender mercies of the enemy, rolling this 
way and that at Billy’s pleasure. 

“He’s so deep in the mire that he may not be able to get out,” 
thought Billy, when he himself began to pant for breath. “It’s 
only fair to put him on his feet, I suppose,” and so he hooked him 
by the coat, and with a toss that required every atom of his strength 
— though Billy never admitted the fact — the boy was up once more, 
though oozing with mud. 


Billy IVhiskers at the Fair 

“He’ll never show himself to his chief in that state. It will take 
an hour to make him presentable, and in the meantime I must make 
tracks. Still, I m not one to run from danger, and it may be the 
fellow will never report his experience.” 

Billy had studied human nature enough to know that one does 
not willingly tell a story in which he ^ 
does not play a creditable part. 

“I’ll not dare to show myself 
in this vicinity to-night, though,” he 
meditated. “That means that I shall 
have to seek new lodgings. I 
wonder who will be 
but, let me think! 
also came to be 
It’s no more than 
duty to entertain 
I’ll hunt her up!” 

Putting this resolution into action, he hurried down the Cattle 
Row. At the farther end was a large bam, now his objective point. 

Long before break of day, the coming of the morning had been 
noisily heralded by the cocks, and Billy knew that all the fuss came 
from this building. 

“One thing I forgot to ask the Duke, and that is how long this 



Billy Whiskers at the Fair 

county jollification lasts. Toppy surely won’t know — it’s her first 
experience here, as she’s nothing but a pullet. Of course, the Duke 
is not much better — nothing but a calf — but at least he could in- 
quire of some of his older neighbors.” 

As the goat approached the bam which had been temporarily 
turned into the exhibition house for the chickens, he made a wide 
detour, circled round it twice and reconnoitered thoroughly, to re- 
assure himself that it was altogether safe for him to enter. See- 
ing no one in sight, he hurried back to the main entrance, bent on 
finding Toppy. 

“ Of course she’ll see me as soon as I enter and will fly straight to 
me. Toppy has been my vassal ever since I saved her from the 
hawk down in the wood lot when she was just a scrawny, ugly chick 
getting her pin feathers.” 

Billy was by this time well inside the building, but no flutter 
of wings or delighted cackle from Toppy greeted him. Not a chicken 
was busily scratching in the deep straw that covered the rough 
flooring. Instead there were little, square boxes — piles and piles 
of them — set neatly in rows one upon the other, each with a wire 
screen front, and each containing a chicken. Poor things! cooped 
up in tiny houses that were scarcely large enough to permit them to 
turn around without stepping in the dish holding their portion of 
water for the entire day. 


Billy Whiskers at the Fair 

Billy’s kind heart bubbled over with rage at the sight, and his 
eyes kindled at the thought that Toppy was in one of these prison 
houses. 

“Our Toppy, who has always had the freedom of the Farm, to be 
shut up in such a bird cage!” he lamented, waxing indignant at the 
situation. 

Up and down he walked, looking in each box, always hoping that 
the next one would hold his feathered friend. Big Buff Cochins, 
tiny Bantams, so full of fighting zeal, Wyandottes, Speckled Ham- 
burgs, every kind was there but Plymouth Rocks. 

“I’ll search all morning if necessary,” he vowed, as he turned 
into the third aisle. 

Carefully he conducted his quest now, not merely casting care- 
less glances up and down the long rows. Instead, he peered into 
every box, though it meant tedious and wearisome work, for at last 
he had reached that part of the exhibit devoted to the pretty Ply- 
mouth Rocks, all decked out in their Quakerish gray. The first 
three rows of boxes were easily inspected, being on Billy’s own 
level. The fourth and fifth tiers were a real problem, however, and 
caused the eager searcher much trouble. Each time he wished to 
look into one of these homes perched up so high, he had to rear up 
on his hind feet. This is not a natural position for four-footed 
animajs, and Billy often lost his balance. He was afraid to use the 

1 1 5 


Billy JVhiskers at the Fair 

boxes for support for his front legs, lest they might topple over 
and the consequent cackling and crowing of the terrified fowls put 
to rout his plan of rescue, for this his search for Toppy had now 
become. 

Down, down, down went Billy’s heart as he progressed. Tears 
of vexation welled up in his eyes, for he was a very determined goat 
and disappointment was hard to bear. 

“No use, I guess,” he decided, and he was hurrying along, glanc- 
ing neither to the right nor to the left, but wholly bent on reaching 
the door quickly. 

“Cluck, cluck! Cluck, cluck!” sounded a familiar call. 

Billy stopped short. 

“Cluck, cluck, cluck!” scolded the hen. “Billy Treat, turn 
back; turn right back, I say!” 

“Why, Toppy girl!” 

“No Toppy-girling me!” she responded, tossing her head saucily. 
“You were going right by with nary one word to me! I’ll not be 
wheedled into good nature by any of your soft words, Mr. Billy!” 

“Didn’t you notice how sorrowful I looked?” he questioned. 

“Sorry? Why, I thought you looked more like a whipped dog. 
Your poor stub of a tail lay down flat — and that is a pretty sure 
sign that you have been in some trouble.” 


Billy IVhiskers at the Fair 

“I have been in trouble, but the trouble is you, Mistress Toppy. 
I’ve been hunting for you, and had just given up in deep despair.” 

“ What can I do for you? ” 

“Why, nothing. I thought I could do something for you.” 

“Oh, Billy!” 

“Don’t ‘Oh, Billy’ me!” he sniffed in high disdain. 

“But, Billy dear,” she soothed, “you can be of such use to me 
just now! There’s a dear, say you’ll do it!” 

“I’m not in the habit of refusing your requests, Biddykins,” — 
and this from Billy Whiskers, whom most animals thought so heart- 
less and cruel! Which only proves the more conclusively that but 
the very closest of our friends ever know us through and through. 

“Well, then,” clucked the Plymouth Rock beauty, “though they 
have labeled me with a blue tag it’s not worth the price of being 
caged like this. What I want you to do is to get me out of this 
box.” 

“The very thing I meant to do!” 

“Thanks! Thanks!” she clucked. 

“Now to plan the details of the escape,” proceeded Billy. “Tell 
me, where is the door to your house?” 

“The whole front is the door, kind sir,” she made reply, “and 
it’s most securely locked, I fear.” 


Billy Whiskers at the Fair 

“ You’re sure?” for this would be a hard problem. 

“Yes, sure of it. Every time they bring me fresh water and 
com, the man turns the knob there on the left side.” 

“Hump!” and Billy eyed the fastening. 

“ But you can very easily tear a place open in this wire screening 
that will be big enough for me to squeeze through. Oh, please say 
you can!” she pleaded. 

“Better’n that I can do, Miss Toppy. Watch closely and you 
will see what will make your little eyes pop open wider than they’ve 
ever been before.” 

Billy went up close to the Plymouth Rock’s tiny house, lowered 
his head, and after turning it this way and that, he stepped proudly 
back, bleating his satisfaction and pleasure. 

“Step out, pretty Toppy, and enjoy a stroll about the grounds,” 
he invited. 

“Step out? Step out?” she clucked indignantly. “I would if 
I could. Don’t make my life more unbearable than it is by such idle 
words!” 

“But Toppy, I mean it. Come out! Your cage is a prison no 
longer. Hurry out of your cell and enjoy the fine morning with 
your friend.” 

“You old torment!” Toppy scolded, and, forgetting the barrier 


1 18 


Billy Whiskers at the Fair 

between them, she fluffed up her feathers and flew at him to peck 
him on the nose, his tender spot. 

Open flew the door and out tumbled the hen, fluttering wildly 
to the floor. 

* ‘ Help ! Help ! ’ ’ she cackled. 

“You’re free, Toppykins!” congratulated her rescuer, “Hurrah, 
Hurrah!” he exulted. 

“Free, you naughty fellow? Whoever was in a worse fix than I 
am this moment, I’d like to know?” was her inconsistent retort. 
“What do you propose doing with me now I’m out?” 

“Do?” helplessly from Billy. 

“You certainly must know I can’t wander around loose all day 
in this dreadful place. And I can’t travel all the way back to Clover- 
leaf Farm. What shall I do? Oh, dear, what shall I ever do?” 
she wailed. 

“You’re a ninny, and that’s my opinion of you! Hop back into 
that thing and I’ll lock you up.” 

“I will, you horrid Billy! I might have known better than to 
listen to any of your wild schemes,” and up she flew. 

Billy wasted no time in closing the door — an easy task, but 
when one attempt failed to turn the wooden button that secured it, 
a wicked gleam leaped to his eye. 


Billy IVhiskers at the Fair 

“Ha, ha! A good joke on the whimsical little lady! I'll leave 
it unlocked. She is sure to have a most miserable day of it, and 
won’t she splutter when I tell her liberty was within her reach?” 
and chuckling to himself, he hurried off, unheeding Toppy’s plaintive 
calls for him to return. 

“She has changed her mind once too often,” he mumbled, 
“Now she’ll pay for it.” 


120 


CHAPTER XI 

THREATENED WITH LOCKJAW 


OU know how time flies between the moment you open your 
sleepy eyes at six o’clock and the warning the first school 
bell gives at eight, which finds you just up from the break- 
fast table, with school togs yet to don and hair to give a 
final smoothing? Well, the minutes had fluttered by just as rapidly 
as that for Billy on this eventful morning. To be sure, he had spent 
needless time in prosecuting the search for Toppy. And before 
that, he had dallied long enough over his encounter with the lank 
lad he had left in such a muddy, muddy plight. 

It was eight o’clock and after before he was aware, and booths 
were being opened by their owners, and their stock in trade arranged 
to best possible advantage to increase the sales of the day. Fakirs 
were already in evidence, choosing shady spots from which to hawk 
their wares. 

Guards were on duty even this early, but now gathered in little 
social groups for a bit of gossip before their more arduous tasks of 
handling the great crowds should begin in real earnest. 

Billy fully realized the risk he was running in being abroad on 




Billy IVhiskers at the Fair 


the nearly deserted grounds, for it made his presence uncomfortably 
conspicuous — and men are not disposed to view a goat with any too 
much favor. They know far too well the mischief of which they 
are capable. 


“It will be by far the wisest thing for me to do 
to lay low,” cogitated Billy. “But I shall 
take care to find a more comfortable place 
than that low coop I occupied yesterday 
r _ afternoon. Ugh!” and he fetched a shiver 

u f ESI 

A I reco ^ ec ^^ on ’ * ' I can feel the splinters 

1 i III iii xtemlml p U Hi n g m y coat even now.” 

Shaking himself vigorously and prick- 
ing up his ears, he chose his way with 
care, proceeding down the street lined with ex- 
f' hibition halls, tents and booths. 

“Appears to me I smell pop-corn! Just 
freshly popped, and with lots of sweet, rich 
butter, too! I can fairly taste it. Pop-corn! How I do like the 
snowy kernels!” 

Following the appetizing odor, he soon found himself in front 
of a tiny booth, all gay with red and white bunting and flaunting 
flags at its four comers. Just outside stood the popper, the es- 
caping steam singing its merry little song. 



I 22 


Billy Whiskers at the Fair 

Billy eyed it a moment, sniffed the air, and then circled about 
the building to spy out the situation carefully. 

“Abandoned, as I had hoped. The keeper must be away at 
breakfast, and while he is gone, I’ll have mine. At least, just the 
finishing bites. I began my breakfast a couple of hours ago, but 
that rude boy interrupted the operation. I know I should starve 
without anything until noon.” 

Billy hesitated no longer, but marched boldly in and back of 
the counter. 

Have you ever wished you could be in that wonderful place — 
back of the counter in a candy store? Back where all the cases are 
standing open inviting you to come and take and eat to your heart's 
content, instead of in front where the glass is between you and all 
the goodies so temptingly spread out? There were piles of choco- 
late creams, peppermint chews, peanut brittle, caramels, shining jars 
of sunshine sticks, and pan upon pan heaped high with taffy, that 
favorite confection of all fair goers. 

All this sweet array was spread there before Billy’s greedy gaze, 
and when he realized the feast that was before him, he closed one 
eye with that provoking wink all his own, licked his chops with a 
peculiar circular motion of the tongue that was one of his very 
naughtiest tricks, according to his good mother’s judgment, and 
paraded up and down, wondering just where to begin. 

123 


Billy tVhiskers at the Fair 

Did he like chocolates better than butterscotch? Or was the 
crisp brittle his favorite? There was the pinch. 

Passing along the counter in this undecided state, he chanced 
to peep underneath, and there, luck of all lucks! was a great pail 
heaping full of pop-corn, with a generous coating of molasses, all 
waiting to be packed into the small cartons that later in the day 
every boy and every girl would be holding and declaring with each 
generous mouthful that “Chew ’em” was by all odds quite the best 
pop-corn confection ever made and sold over the counter. 

Billy had never lost his youthful liking for com, and now wasted 
not another minute debating where he should begin — he knew. 
Nothing could possibly tempt him from the spot until he was fully 
satisfied. 

I am sorry to say it, but I must if I wish to be honest, Billy for- 
got his manners, and in his eagerness, got into the pail with his feet! 
He gulped the com down so fast and buried his nose so deep that 
he lost his breath, and one stubborn kernel scooted down his Sunday 
throat. Billy choked, and with one mighty cough up came the 
offending thing. Never an animal with a great amount of patience, 
Billy grew angry at even this very brief interruption, though it was 
not a minute until his head was down as deep as ever. 

The nearer he approached the bottom, the stickier grew the com, 
and the better Billy liked it. Evidently the molasses had been 

124 


Billy Whiskers at the Fair 

poured over the com not long before Billy’s entrance, and the whole 
pailful left to harden and crystallize. That on top had been just 
right for packing, but down in the pail, where the air could not get 
in its work, the syrup was thick and still warm. 

Billy gorged himself, with never a thought of the possible min 
it would work to his stomach, but, fortunately, goats’ stomachs are 
not the delicate organs that boys and girls have to take care of, and 
he had never been taught how wrong it is to eat too much of rich 
things that injure the busy, hard working servant that gives us 
strength. 

Down, down went his nose, and then, with a sigh that the very 
last of the brown, sweet stuff had disappeared, he stepped back, and 
took a deep breath of satisfaction. 

“Tis the richest meal I’ve had since — since — well, that I’ve 
ever had. I can’t begin to remember anything half so good in all my 
lifetime. But I wish that com would drop off my whiskers and 
neck! It’s uncomfortable, though I did not notice it while I was 
eating. I’ll take a little of that pure white taffy all spread out on 
that enormous pan, and then be off to greener pastures.” 

Putting the thought into action, he hopped up on the counter 
and walked along until that particular taffy tray was reached. He 
opened his mouth, took one generous bite, and began to chew. 

What was the trouble? What had he done? Would it ever 


125 


Billy IVhiskers at the Fair 

end? He’d starve to death if it didn’t, starve slowly, yet surely 
growing thinner and thinner, hungrier and hungrier minute by min- 
ute, hour by hour, day by day, and week by week. Perhaps he 
would live months and years and never be able to munch the sweet 
iss and fragrant clover again. 

These were Billy’s sombre thoughts as 
he worked in vain to open his jaws. 
No use. They were held as in 
a vise, and no effort on his 
part would loosen the hold of 
the vile stuff on his teeth. It made 
jaws ache, and his eyes began to 
bulge with a strange fear as his 
struggles proved so futile. 

Thinking to flee from the danger 
that threatened him, he bounded out 
of the booth and sped on and on, quite 
without thought of his destination, his 
one aim being to rid himself of the terror. On and ever on he ran, 
taking long, easy leaps, until he brought up short at a high fence 
which bordered the grounds. This served to bring his flight to an 
end, and he disconsolately huddled down in the long grass. 

“I’ve but one friend on the grounds, outside of the over-proud 

126 



Billy Whiskers at the Fair 

Duke, and I’d die before I’d show myself to him in this plight. 
Toppy must help me out, and I believe I can rely on her,” and no 
sooner had the thought popped into his head than he was up and off 
like a streak to hunt up the little hen. 

It was no trouble at all to locate her particular box this time, 
and though it was not the haughty goat that had presented himself 
before her but a short two hours ago, he hastened along. 

“Oh, Billy, Bill-ee!” with the accent strong on the last syllable, 
she cackled with much concern, for Toppy had been crouching 
down close to the screen ever since Billy had walked off in such high 
disdain. 

“Billy!” she repeated, “Whatever is the matter?” 

No reply. 

Billy merely came up close, held up his head and wagged it to 
show he could not make answer. 

“You’re all over pop-corn, and you’re a perfect sight! Let 
me out of this cage, and I’ll pick it off for you,” she bribed. 

Remembering that she believed herself locked in, Billy reached 
up and pretended to turn the button, and, satisfied now that it was 
open, she gave a gentle push, back swung the wire door, and down 
she fluttered once more, but, cautious creature that she was, she 
curbed her delight and did not give so much as one victorious cackle 
at her release. 


127 


Billy hFhiskers at the Fair 

“Come along with me,” she commanded, assuming the leader- 
ship and strutting down the aisle. Billy, meek as a lamb, followed, 
and they brought up at the rear of the barn, otherwise known as the 
Poultry Show. 



kin. He mustn’t think he can go scot-free for all his naughtiness. 

128 



Billy IVhiskers at the Fair 

Don’t I remember the chase he used to give my poor mother and 
her flock of little downy children, and how tired our poor wobbly 
legs would be ere we could gain the shelter under the bam? All 
that saved us then was the fact that it was so low he could not 
crawl underneath. This is the first time I’ve ever really enjoyed 
my friendship with him, and I mean to make up for lost time,” — 
Toppy meditated. 

‘‘Here, you imp,” thought Billy, for she was giving him a peck 
here and a vicious dab there, and the henpecked goat was really 
getting much the worst of the bargain, for he could not make pro- 
test — his jaws were still out of commission. So he perforce swal- 
lowed his wrath and submitted meekly to the process. 

“Billy,” commenced Toppy, “you are always and forever getting 
into some mix-up like this, and always appealing to your friends 
for aid. But you are such a close-mouthed creature no one ever 
knows the real tmth about your mischief making. I think in slight 
return for this service of mine you really owe it to me to tell how 
this happened.” 

Instead of replying, he shook his head, though not so much from 
a desire to keep his adventure a state secret as from the fact that 
that dreadful stuff wouldn’t let him speak. He hung his head, the 
while Toppy was busily engaged in cleaning his coat. 

“I’m not quite so close-mouthed as some people think. If only 

129 


Billy IVhiskers at the Fair 

I could talk, I’d surely do so, though there have been occasions 
when I’d not breathe a word of an escapade like this.” 

He gave one appealing look at Toppy, and in his surprise to see 
her eating away as she worked, he gave a gasp and then a bigger one 
for to his inexpressible joy and relief he could open his mouth! 
The taffy had slowly but surely melted, and he was able to eat and 
talk and laugh once more. 


130 


CHAPTER XII 


THE PUMPKIN MAN 

O sooner did Billy make this glad discovery than he straight- 
way forgot his benefactress, and trotted off, leaving her 
perched there on the hay stack, deploring his lack of grati- 
tude. 

‘'Just like my husband, Coxy. You can work and work and 
work for him, and just so soon as he is fine and dandy, off he struts to 
make friends with some vain young pullet,” and she snuggled down 
in the hay, much too grieved to venture out and explore the surround- 
ing territory. 

In the meantime Billy was hurrying off, for he knew he had much 
to see and do before the close of this, the greatest day of the Fair. 

“That silly thing of a hen never surmised that I couldn’t talk. 
She thought I was just disinclined to share my secret, and would not 
take her into my confidence. Now I have managed to fix myself up 
without much outside assistance, I really can’t see the necessity of 
confessing the box I was in. One often gets into trouble by telling 
too much, but seldom, if ever, by saying too little. That’s my 
working policy.” 

' 3 1 




Billy H^hiskers at the Fair 

“It must be growing along toward ten o’clock, if I can judge 
anything by the sun’s progress. I must at least inspect one hall 
before lunch and then, after that, the races will begin. I missed 
them entirely yesterday, and the Duke of Windham says that they 
are the principal attraction of the Fair. I must be there early to-day 
in order to secure a good view.” 

Now the building Billy was approaching was by far the most 
pretentious on the grounds. It was fully one hundred and fifty feet 
ong by forty wide, and there were great doors at either end, one 
swallowing up throngs of people all pressing in, and the other pour- 
ing forth an equal number. 

“ I must get in there by some hocus-pocus,” Billy thought, and he 
joined in the press. 

Up three steps and then he was in a wonderful place. The 
moment they gained entrance, there was ample room, for the people 
separated into groups, one going this way and another that, down 
one aisle and up another, wandering along examining the exhibits. 

Down the center of the building were long tables, each bearing 
its burden of fruit. One section was devoted exclusively to the 
apple crop, and there were plates upon plates of the wholesome fruit, 
each specimen with glowing cheeks, the result of careful and pro- 
longed rubbing. Greenings, rambows, pippins, russets, northern 


132 



THERE PEEPING FROM BEHIND THE SKIRTS OF THE SECOND 
WOMAN WAS A HANDSOME GOAT. 
























































































































































































































Billy JVhiskers at the Fair 

spies — every kind was in evidence, all labeled and each species 
vieing with the other for popularity. 

Another section showed pears, hard and still green, to be sure, 
but great, large pears that promised delicious eating bye and bye 
when they should be mellow. Guarding each section was a farmer 
boy, stationed there both to protect the exhibits from pilfering by 
the sightseers and also to answer the numerous questions they pro- 
pounded. 

Around the walls of the room were exhibits of everything that 
the good ground yields so bounteously — potatoes, squashes, corn, 
and grains. One progressive farmer had*brought an entire pumpkin 
vine, to show its enormous length and its great burden of golden 
fruit. 

But the center of interest appeared to be half way down the hall, 
for there gathered the largest group of wondering people, who 
pushed and crowded their way to the front, each eager to secure a 
glimpse of that which caused so many admiring oh’s and ah’s. And 
Billy, of course, was not slow in reaching this spot. 

What did he care for common, everyday apples when there was 
something that promised new and greater interest? 

Up he marched, and knowing the best way to forge ahead was to 
use his horns, he stooped to that, and butted his way to the front. 

“ Oh, the pumpkin man, the pumpkin man! ” cried a little young- 

135 


Billy IVhiskers at the Fair 

ster delightedly, jumping up and down in his excitement, and there, 
to be sure, he stood in full array. 

A very wonderful man he was. His head was round as a ball, 
for it was fashioned from a fat little pumpkin, the roundest that 
the fields could furnish. Eyes were made from com husks, cut as 
large and round as a silver dollar, while the eyebrows were heavily 
outlined with black ink. Nose and mouth were cut like boys and 
girls do for jack-o’ -lanterns for Hallowe’en pranks, and teeth were 
furnished by large, perfect kernels of com. 

This queer fellow’s body resembled to a striking extent an 
elongated pumpkin, and his arms were perfectly matched, long-necked 
summer squashes. His hands were doubled up into fists, being the 
enlarged ends of the squashes. A pair of legs were giant ears of 
golden com, and the dandy was togged out in a com-husk cravat 
jauntily tied in a four-in-hand, and his feet boasted a pair of ox- 
blood ties, though most people would have called them red ears of 
field com. 

“ Hello, Pumpkin Man,” was Billy’s cordial and friendly greeting, 
for Billy felt he could claim acquaintanceship with anything and 
everything hailing from a farm. 

The Pumpkin Man maintained a dignified silence and stared 
straight ahead. 

“ How-d’-ye-do, old fellow?” Billy repeated, edging a trifle closer, 

1 36 


Billy Whiskers at the Fair 

for so popular a man must be one whom it would pay to know most 
intimately. 

The Pumpkin Man glowered at him — or so Billy thought. 

“The impudent rascal! Most likely he wants to put on citified 
airs. I’ve heard of people who were ashamed to own that they 
hailed from the good old farm. The ninnies! What would all the 
city folks do without the farmer? Why, I think a man who can farm 
the way Mr. Treat does is one of the greatest men in all the land, and 
ought to be ranked with bank presidents, professors, judges, and so 
on. But if it is homage he wants, homage he shall have.” 

“How do you do, Mr. Pumpkin Man?” Billy ventured the third 
time, now bowing low before him in a courtesy. 

But not a sign of recognition lighted up the fellow’s face. He 
maintained that blank stare, which was most disconcerting to our 
Billy Whiskers. 

“I shall make him pay dearly for insulting me so, and before 
all this crowd of watching, curious people, too.” 

His wrath up, Billy charged, and hit the foe squarely in the stom- 
ach. Evidently one round was enough for the dignified Pumpkin 
Man, for over he tumbled, and what a fall it was! 

Arms, legs, body went flying this way and that. It seemed he 
had no real backbone at all! His head rolled forward, his body 


137 


Billy IVhiskers at the Fair 

back, and arms flew sidewise. Such a wobbly, make-believe man! 
Unfortunately, Billy’s horns caught the head as it fell, and hooked 
the ample, grinning, impudent mouth. Billy shook himself to free 
him of the burden, but that merely served to make the pumpkin 
head settle down more securely. There was a 
mighty, thundering roar of amusement from 
the spectators of this little comedy, and at the 
sound Billy, always over-sensi- 
tive to ridicule, turned with 
but one thought, and that 
was to escape from the 
scene of the encounter and 
his disgrace. 

But no sooner did he 
wheel about than he saw all backs 
— not one person in the whole 
crowd was brave enough to face 
him, and they were making undue 
haste to fly from the building 
before the goat should take it into his fertile brain to charge them 
as he had the “punkin head.” 

Those in the lead did not know what was the real trouble, for' 
moment by moment they were joined by others from different parts 

138 



Billy Whiskers at the Fair 

of the hall. They only knew that there was a great press of people 
crowding toward the door, and supposing that something dreadful 
must be the cause, were excitedly pushing toward the exit. Fright- 
ened women, terrified children, and men in much the same state, it 
must be confessed, were in the throng, and there rose a perfect babel 
of cries: 

“Fire! Fire!” 

“No, no!” came the contradictory cry from someone who had 
retained a grain of common sense. “Just clear the room! No fire, 
just a goat! ” but his voice was drowned in the uproar and shuffling of 
many eager feet. 

Those on the outside, seeing unmistakable evidences of excitement, 
were just as anxious to gain entrance as those inside were to get out, 
such is the perverseness of the human family. The result was that 
neither could move, and there Billy was at the back, and good use 
did he make of the opportunity. He had more butting space of- 
fered, without any show of resistance, or offer of flight, than ever 
before in his career. 

The farm lads who acted as guards stood bravely at their posts 
of duty, but this did not mean that they took no active part in the 
fray. No, indeed! Apples flew from all quarters of the room, and 
pears, too, hard as bullets, hit him in tender places. 

Maddened by this, Billy butted the harder, but when he found 


i39 


Billy IVhiskers at the Fair 

there was no hope of opening a way to the outer world and freedom, 
he turned and faced his tormentors from the rear, and then there 
was wild scrambling. Many are those who are willing to pursue a 
fleeing foe, but few there be brave enough to prosecute the attack on 
an advancing enemy in such battle array as this Billy goat. 

Dodging under the tables, they tried to crawl to safety, but 
Billy proved to be much more nimble on all fours than they, and 
swept up and down that hall, in and out, overturning tables, scatter- 
ing the fruit, and punishing the boys, laying in ruin what was but 
a short hour before the admiration of the entire county. 

By the time Billy had succeeded in putting to entire rout the 
attacking boys, the throng pressing the doorway had disappeared, 
and he made his way out without difficulty. 

Heaving a sigh of relief, he delivered himself of this thought: 

“ If ever a goat was entitled to a good dinner, it is Billy Whiskers 
to-day. Yes, sir-ee!” 


140 


CHAPTER XIII 
A TRIUMPHANT HOME-COMING 


ND if my memory does not serve me falsely, I think there is 
a tent over yonder, and just around the comer bearing a 
sign like this: 

DINNERS SERVED HERE 
BY THE LADIES OF THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH 
PRICE $.25 

Mrs. Treat is a Congregationalist, and if all the church ladies are 
the experienced and skilful cooks she is, their patrons need not 
worry about receiving a full twenty-five cents worth. It always 
pays to be early at such a place, that I know full well, for the baskets 
may be empty before the last customers are fed. I’m not sure that 
the Treats will be at the Fair to-day, so I will be compelled to forage, 
and this rather appeals to me. I’ve often heard about church din- 
ners. 

“Hurrah, over there is the very place I’m seeking. And how 
amiable the mistress of ceremonies looks, standing over the stove 
at the rear of the tent. Doesn’t a white apron swathing a woman 
make you think involuntarily of things to eat? I suppose she’s pre- 

H 1 



Billy IVhiskers at the Fair 

paring the coffee. I’ll not gp in by the back door. She guards that 
too closely. Under the side of the tent is good enough for Billy.” 

And under he went, as nimble as a kid, being egged on by gnaw- 
ing hunger. 

“Huh! I guess I am early. The tables are not yet spread. 
But they needn’t think I’m going to wait as long as that for a bite 
to eat. Their sign says 

DINNERS SERVED 

and they’ve absolutely no right to post such a notice when it isn’t 
true. They’re sailing under false colors. I’ll serve myself, 
seeing they are such fibbers.” 

Truth to tell, this suited Billy much better anyway, and he be- 
gan to explore the territory under the picnic tables. Numerous 
baskets, all heaped with eatables, were snugly stowed away here for 
safe keeping until it was time to lay the tables, and Billy decided 
to examine each in turn. In one he discovered an immense pan of 
nicely browned beans. Boston baked beans, just fresh from some 
generous oven needed to extend no second invitation to Billy. He 
greedily devoured them, and then passed on to the neighboring 
basket. 

“ My eyes, what pies! ” he chuckled, “but I’m not ready for dessert 
as yet. There’s no use in trying to hurry me on to the last course. 


142 


Billy Whiskers at the Fair 

I’ll return to you, so don’t feel slighted,” as he crept stealthily on, 
addressing the pastry 

Other baskets yielded generously of sandwiches, salads, pickles, 
fruits — everything to his exact liking and preference, and no lively 
conscience warned Billy that he was doing anything wrong in satis- 
fying his appetite in this manner. 

If one was not expected to eat, then why was he permitted to 
get hungry? That was the argument he put forth. And if one was 
hungry, why shouldn’t he eat — and especially when there were so 
many and such good things in front of one? 

'‘I believe I’ll lay low until they begin to serve, for that big 
barrel at the back of the tent means just one thing — ice-cream, and 
after it is opened, it may be that I can manage to get a portion. 
At least it is worth an effort. It is the next best thing to . a good, 
cool drink, and I see no likelihood of quenching my thirst. All 
they seem to have is coffee, and I never yet have touched the vile 
stuff. It smells good enough, but I value my nerves far too much to 
touch it.” 

By this time the women were bustling about, spreading snowy 
linen over the rough tables, and placing the dishes and silver. 
It required some maneuvering for Billy to edge his way unnoticed 
from table to table, but he gradually approached the back of the tent 


143 


Billy IVhiskers at the Fair 

and took up his station under the last table, crouched into the darkest 
comer, near the side of the tent. 

He had not long to wait until the clinking of glasses and the 
clatter of knives and forks told that patrons had begun to come, 
and the swish of skirts told him that waitresses were busily serving 
meals. 

“My waiting time is nearly over,” he decided, and poked his 
head under the tent just enough to get a glimpse of the ice-cream 
freezer. “Now the very moment that that burly fellow leaves — 
as he surely will after the first rush is over — I’ll make the raid.” 

He hardly winked, so anxious was he to remain undiscovered, 
for this was the crucial test. Once or twice he was forced to draw 
back wholly within the tent, fearing that the man dishing out the 
cream would face about and find the marauding Billy so near. But 
Billy had an unlimited amount of patience about some things, and 
he was in the mood to exert it for the promised treat. 

“There!” sighed the man at last, mopping his brow, “that is 
the hardest work I’ve done for many a day. I think I need a strong 
cup of coffee to brace me up for the next round,” and he hurried 
off before an impatient waitress should demand his further ser- 
vices. 

“ Now’s my time,” and Billy was up on the freezer, and had taken 
one great mouthful of the cream. 


144 


Billy IVhiskers at the Fair 


0-o-oh! What a dreadful pain it gives me in my temples. I 



must swallow it very slowly, I see,” raising his head. “I wish I 
had some cake to eat with it. Mrs. 

Treat always serves it that way at 
Cloverleaf Farm. And now I un- 
derstand why.” 

Down he plunged his head 
once more, but he never took 
the second mouthful, for some- 
one rudely seized him by his abbre- 
viated tail, and after describing a 
circle in the air, he landed on 
the ground many feet away. 

Trembling with pain, Billy « 
darted blindly straight ahead, 
caring little where he went if 
only he escaped this giant of strength. 

The paroxysm of fright left him as soon 
as he heard a tumult of voices, and he 
opened his eyes in wonder to find that he 
had rushed into the tent, now crowded to its full capacity with diners. 
Such commotion as followed defies description. Everyone rose to 
their feet simultaneously, as Billy paused for a moment undecided 


H5 


Billy IVhiskers at the Fair 


what to do or where to go, and then made a dash for the other 
door. A waitress bearing aloft a loaded tray advanced down the 
narrow aisle, and it was no fault of Billy’s that she went sprawling 

and her dishes flying for he did his 
best to swerve to the right and give 
her the right of way. But the girl 
turned to her left in her excitement, and 
so a collision resulted. Billy darted on, 
escaped the shower of falling 
china, only to hook his horns in 
a rent in one of the table-cloths, 
and there followed another and a 
greater clatter of fall- 
ing, breaking dishes. 
One man with more 
presence of mind than 
the rest reached for the 
cloth, thinking thus to arrest 
Billy’s flight, but with one 
vigorous forward leap the 
linen was tom from Billy’s horns, and he rushed out of the tent free. 

“I’ll guarantee that some poor fellow will waste a quarter buying 
a meal ticket there, and then they’ll find their provisions have mys- 

146 



Billy BFhiskers at the Fair 

teriously disappeared, and they cannot give him a square meal,” Billy 
meditated, strolling slowly along in the genial sunshine of the early 
October day. In fact, after his exertions in the Congregational 
dinner tent, he felt disinclined to hurry, and he ambled along leisurely, 
a good-natured smile hovering around his mouth. 

“Now for the races. Shall I take a grandstand seat? That’s 
the subject up for discussion. I believe I prefer a little more room 
than they give one there, and will occupy a special grandstand of 
my own. That high road-cart over there offers a splendid van- 
tage point, and I’m thinking no one will care to dispute my right 
to it once I am installed and if they do — well, I think I may be able 
to establish my ownership with small difficulty. Possession is nine- 
tenths of the law, so I’ve heard them say.” 

At this time of the day, before the races were begun, the race 
course was a common thoroughfare, and people crossed and re- 
crossed without fear. Therefore Billy now crept under the two 
fences outlining the course, and in a few moments was viewing the 
world from his elevated seat in a most stylish turn-out. 

A rattle of the gong at the judges’ stand announced that the 
hour for beginning the races had arrived, and out trotted the horses, 
each with his jaunty jockey in gay cap and trousers to match. What 
a storm of applause! How wild the people were over the promised 
contest for speed! 


147 


Billy Whiskers at the Fair 

Up and down trotted the horses, to display their good points and 
to warm up for the first heat. 

“The bay is a beauty. She’s made for the track.” 

“But look at the slender chestnut! Fleet limbs, those.” 

“I’ll pin my faith on the black ” 

These and many like remarks greeted Billy’s ears, for everyone 
was ready to express their opinions of the values of each entry. 

Now they are lining up for the first start, and under the rope 
they go, but not all together. Back they turn and again the bell 

y 

sounds the signal. This time they are off, and how gallantly each 
horse responds to the will of the driver. Now they dash around the 
long oval, each taking his course, now on the outside, now on the 
inside as they make the curves. 

“The black! The black!” comes the cry of approval as the 
dainty little mare forges ahead by one whole length. 

“ The bay gains. She wins! She wins! ” and as they pass under 
the line and wheel about ready to repeat the performance, the ex- 
cited spectators settle back into their seats, relieved of the strain 
and stress. 

Again the jockeys form their line, each in his proper place, each 
eager to urge his mount to full capacity for speed, each hoping that 
this time the shouts of encouragement and approbation will be for 
him. 


148 


Billy IVhiskers at the Fair 

Billy is one of the best watchers. He is trembling in every 
limb, for well he knows the stress of the day for the animals in the 
harness, well he knows how earnestly each of the racers yearns to 
win, and how much they are disappointed when they come in any 
place but first. 

Around and around they fly, jockeys using their whips, urging 
on and ever on with words uttered scarcely above a whisper, yet 
heard and obeyed by the alert steeds. Feet patter on the earth, 
dust rises and still on they fly, but oh, why the sudden silence? 
Why the bated breath ? Why the stifled moans of all this vast mul- 
titude? Not a stir for a brief moment, for there in the track, di- 
rectly in the path of the oncoming rush of horses toddles a little 
youngster, barely able to walk alone, all unmindful of its peril, 
taking its own time to cross the track. 

Billy sees, recognizes the danger, and with a leap is down and 
over the fence, into the middle of the course, and lowering those 
magnificent horns, hooks the clothes of the baby, and, never stop- 
ping to turn to retreat, dashes on across, just in time to escape the 
onrush of the racers as they round the bend. 

What shouts! What hurrahs! The crowd goes wild in its 
frenzied admiration. Losing all fear of such an animal, Billy is 
grasped by three sturdy men, baby is lifted safely up and tenderly 
placed in the outstretched arms of the mother, and then Billy is 

149 


Billy IVhiskers at the Fair 

borne high on the shoulders of the men, a conquering hero. Of 
course he struggles — what goat wouldn’t? — and yet finds himself 
powerless, for his feet are held by men who grip him with hands of iron 
and with an immense following, they carry him around to the grand- 
stand and then over to the 
platform where the judges 
sit. Up the steps they go, 
and there, with thousands 
and thousands of wit- 
nesses, the master of 
ceremonies decks Billy 
out with a blue ribbon 
bow, and again shouts of ad- 
miration fairly rend the 
heavens. 

No more racing to-day. 
Interest in fleet horses has 
suddenly died, and through 
the megaphone come these 
*words: 

Ladies and Gentlemen: 

You have just witnessed the brave act of a dumb animal. A 
goat has done what no man had brains to conceive nor daring to 

150 



Billy IVhiskers at the Fair 

put into execution. Ladies and gentlemen, the races are called off, 
and, in honor of the goat hero of the day, there will be given on the 
race course a grand parade of all the animals exhibited at the Fair. 
You are requested to keep your seats and witness the grand finale 
of the Licking County Annual Fair. 

A buzz of excitement followed this change of program, and necks 
were craned and all were agog. 

In a very few minutes their consuming curiosity was satisfied 
for there was a long line of animals parading the circle, and at their 
head was no other than Billy Whiskers, proud of his position, but 
still prouder that at last his animal friends were receiving the rec- 
ognition they merited. 

As the crowd recognized the leader of the procession, three 
mighty cheers went up, and when Billy bowed his thanks for this 
overture — just as he had done countless times during a Circus per- 
formance — the people went wild, and hurrah after hurrah greeted 
him. 

Not the least bit disconcerted, Billy marched the length of the 
track, and had drawn up in front of the grandstand, lining up his 
motley following, each with an attendant close at his head, for a 
final flourish, when a little fellow standing near the grandstand 
shouted: 

“It’s Billy! It’s my Billy!” and escaping from his father’s 

I 5 I 


Billy IVhiskers at the Fair 

arms, ran pell-mell to him, threw his arms around his neck, and 
then Billy underwent such a petting as never goat had before. 

“Now you won’t think such bad things of my Billy, will you, 
mama,” Dick petitioned, as 
his mother hurried up. “See, 
isn’t it a pretty bow he 
won?” 

“Well, well,” conceded Mrs."'’ 

Treat, reluctantly, “he may be 
all right, after all.” 

“I think we’ve all had 
excitement enough for this Fair 
time. Suppose we escape all of 
the palavering that will surely be 
lavished on us, and start for 
home,” proposed Mr. Treat. 

“All right,” agreed the /boys, 

“and we’ll take Billy right along. 

We don’t want him to give us the 
slip. He’s too valuable a goat to 
lose, and we must take great care of him.” 

Slowly they made their way to the automobile, for however much 
they might wish to slip quietly away, the crowds thought differently, 

152 



Billy Whiskers at the Fair 

and pressed about closely, everyone eager to get a glimpse of this 
very wonderful goat. 

1 11 pay you a thousand dollars for him,” offered a fakir, the 
proprietor of one of the side shows on the midway. “He’d do a 

dandy act I have in mind. 
A thousand dollars, I 
say. Take it?” he ques- 
tioned. 

“No, nor two thou- 
sand , ’ ’ answered Tom 
emphatically. “Why, this 
goat is the best goat in the 
world, I’d have you know, 
and -five thousand couldn’t 
buy him to-day.” 

“Changed your 
opinion about me since 
two days ago,” thought 
Billy, remembering this same boy’s wish that they might rid them- 
selves of his goatship upon the arrival of the automobile. 

“Hurry along, boys,” urged their father. “Let’s get home 
before the crowd kidnaps him.” 

“Or goatnaps him, papa.” 



*53 


Billy tVhiskers at the Fair 

'‘Where shall we put him?” uneasily asked Mrs. Treat. 

“Why, that’s the easiest thing of all. Where but on the front 
seat?” answered Harry, unhesitatingly. “That’s the honor place, 
you know, and Billy Whiskers is the honor goat of Licking County 
to-day.” 

And this is how it came that Billy really kept his promise to 
old Browny, and rode back to Cloverleaf Farm in state, occupying 
the front seat, while the boys, Tom, Dick and Harry, were crowded 
into the tonneau with their mother. 


154 


CHAPTER XIV 


THE REWARD 

HE next morning things at Cloverleaf Farm had settled 
back into their accustomed groove. Breakfast was over 
by half past six, and soon '/*“ 
after a wagon arrived bring- Vfr 
ing home the Duke, more vain than 
ever since his beauty had been pub- 
licly recognized, and Toppy, 
still somewhat ruffled owing to 
the long chase she had led her 
keepers the day previous ere 
she had been captured and re- 
turned to the coop she had 
deserted with Billy Whiskers’ 
aid. 

The boys had marched off to 
school, each swinging his lunch 
basket, and each wishing that les- 
sons were half as interesting as the Fair. 

155 




Billy Whiskers at the Fair. 

That evening the postmaster was sitting on the same cracker 
barrel he had occupied two days before, and, beaming with good 
nature, hailed the Treat trio as they were passing on their way home 
from school . 

“A letter in here for your father!” he called genially. 

“Where from?” asked Tom shortly, with but a show of slight 
interest. 

“Springfield, I guess. The postmark is blurred, and so I can’t 
be real sure.” 

“You go after it, Harry,” commanded the eldest of the three. 

“ Won’t either! ” 

“Then you go, Dick,” turning to the little fellow when he found 
Harry incorrigible. 

“Guess not!” sturdily, hands in trouser pockets, and feet kick- 
ing the deep dust of the roadway. ‘ ‘ Papa says you're to bring the 
mail, so get it yourself,” and on he marched. 

“Not so anxious now your automobile has come,” said the post- 
master as Tom reluctantly entered. 

Hurrying out without waiting to reply, he soon overtook his 
brothers, and after examining the envelope, stuffed it in his hip 
pocket. It likely would have been there yet had not Dick thought 
it wise to settle the responsibility of delivering the family mail in 
the future. 


156 


Billy M^hiskers at the Fair 

“Say, papa,” he began at the supper table that evening, “it’s 
Tom’s place to stop at the post office, isn’t it?” 

Tom frowned at Harry, thinking that he had prompted Dick to 
put the question. Harry frowned back, and even gave his brother 
a pinch under cover of the table. 

“Boys, boys!” reproved Mr. Treat, “what’s the trouble now?” 

“Nothin’,” answered Tom. “Only I asked Harry to get the 
letter Mr. Harris had for you, and he wouldn’t, and Dick was 
stubborn, too.” 

“Now, Tom, you know that is your duty. I want my eldest 
son to bring the mail. The younger boys might lose it. Even you, 
big as you are, seem likely to prove careless, for you have not de- 
livered any letter to me as yet.” 

“Oh, father, I forgot!” and a hot flush of shame at his negli- 
gence mounted Tom’s cheeks, as he hastily produced the missive. 

“Of all things! Mother, listen to this,” for as Mr. Treat tore 
open the envelope out had dropped a pink slip of paper beside a 
note. 

“Dear Sir: — 

I’m a comparatively poor man, but not so poor in gratitude 
that I cannot voice my thanks for the rescue of my baby son at the 
Fair yesterday. That the rescuer happened to be a goat is no reason 
why the act should go unrewarded, and the enclosed check is the ef- 

1 57 


Billy BFhiskers at the Fair 

fort I make to express my appreciation of t ie brave act. I send 
it in the hope that it may provide some luxury for those who have 
trained him so well. 

Sincerely, 

J. B. Martin.” 

“How much is it?” gasped Mrs. Treat. 

“Fifty dollars, as I live!” 

“Of course we cannot accept it?” hr if questioned his wife. 

“ I don’t know,” argued Mr. Treat. “ I am sure if my baby had 
been in such peril, I should not like to have his rescuer return the 
thank-offering I made — the only way a man has to show his appre- 
ciation and lasting gratitude, as Mr. Martin says.” 

“Let’s keep it to go to the Fair next year. Think what a lot 
of candy we can have!” suggested Harry eagerly. 

“Well, boys, I think we will keep it, but it will go in the bank to 
be added to the fund Billy has already started for your college edu- 
cations,” decided Mr. Treat, carefully folding the check and placing 
it in his pocket-book. 

That night after their mother had tucked the covers about them 
and put out the light, Tom snuggled over close to Harry, and 
whispered: 

“Harry, I’ve thought of a plan!” 

“What about?” 


158 


Billy JVhiskers at the Fair 

“I’ve been thinking a goat is a pretty good thing — better’n a 
calf. The Duke has never earned any money, but Billy has a lot. 
Suppose we sell the Duke.” 

“Not by a long way!” said Harry, scorning the proposal. 

“But, Harry, listen to common sense! You know Billy earned 
a lot this summer. We’d not have the auto if it wasn’t for him. 
And now here is another fifty dollars come to-day. If one goat can 
do that, why not get more — one for each of us boys, any way?” 

‘ ‘ But the Duke ? Why sell him ? ’ ’ 

“I must say you are slow,” responded Tom impatiently. “We’ll 
have to have some money to buy the goats, won’t we?” 

“Yes, but I don’t want to lose the Duke. Say, why not take 
the money in our banks down stairs and buy some kids? They’d 
not cost so much as full-grown goats, and they would soon grow.” 

“Bully for you!” said Tom, pounding Harry vigorously on the 
back to express his appreciation of the valuable suggestion. “We’ll 
do it to-morrow.” 

The next day being Saturday and a holiday, the boys proceeded 
to put their plan into immediate execution. Counting their hoard, 
they found it totalled six dollars and three cents. “Let’s not wait 
till afternoon, but go down to the Comers now. Mr. Finnegan has 
two kids and perhaps he’ll sell one to us,” whispered Harry as they 
bent over their task of counting the heap of pennies. 


*59 


Billy hFhiskers at the Fair 

“All right, come along,” and snatching caps, they ran to the 
kitchen and told their mother they were going to the Comers on 
‘ ‘ important business. ’ ’ 

Mrs. Treat was one of those wise mothers who have the full con- 
fidence of her sons, and she never pried into their secrets, for she 
knew full well they would tell her all about them in good time. 

“All right, boys, but hurry back. It is getting along towards 
noon.” 

Reaching Mr. Finnegan’s home, the boys went to the rear, and 
were delighted to have him answer their knock in person. 

“Good morning, and what brings you here?” he asked. 

“We’ve come to ask if you want to sell one of your goats,” said 
Tom. 

“Well, now, that all depends on how much the buyer will pay. 
You see, my kids are very fine ones.” 

“Yes, we’ve often seen them in the yard, and they look as good 
as our own Billy,” agreed Harry readily. 

“How much is one worth?” asked Tom, bristling with business. 

“Suppose we go out to see them,” replied Mr. Finnegan, lead- 
ing the way to a small shed at the back of the lot. “I’ve said I’d 
not sell them for less than ten dollars, but seeing it’s you boys, and 
your father is a friend of mine, I’ll say five.” 


160 


Billy IVhiskers at the Fair 

“Oh, dear, and we wanted two, one for each of us!” lamented 
Harry. 

“You do? And how much money have you?” 

“Six dollars and three cents, and we need ten! ” 

“ Seeing what a very good friend your father is, I’ll 
let you have them for that,” said the 
owner of the kids. 

“What?” they chorussed, their eyes 
dancing at the proposal. 

“Just right! six dollars and three 
cents and you own two kids.” 

“Aren’t they fine?” said Harry, 
eyeing the kids with supreme satis- 
faction. “Count out the money, 

Tom, and we’ll take them home 
with us.” 

Two happier boys never turned - j 
into the Treat drive than Tom and Harry that Satur- 
day noon. 

Mr. Treat had come in from the fields, and Mrs. Treat was fret- 
ting because her sons were not on hand ready for dinner, and went 
to the front veranda to watch for their appearing. 



161 


/ 


Billy IVhiskers at the Fair 

“ I want to know what those boys are up to now. Father, come 
out here this minute. Is it goats those lads are carrying?” 

“ Looks like it to me,” returned her husband with a silent chuckle. 

“As if I haven’t had enough bother with Billy Whiskers!” 

“Come in here, Tom,” called Mr. Treat, as the boys were making 
for the stables. ‘ ‘ What’s this ? ’ ’ 

“Why, they’re our new kids! Bought them from Mr. Finnegan. 
Billy’s been such a good investment, and three will earn just three 
times as much. We’ve one apiece now, and you needn’t worry 
any more about our educations.” 

“Boys!” gasped their mother, throwing up her hands in amaze- 
ment. 

“Never mind, mother! This is their first business venture, and 
we must see what they make of it.” 

“But — but, father, you can’t realize what it means. Three 
goats! ” 

“There, there, don’t fret! Billy Whiskers will likely take good 
care of them. Let the boys have a chance.” 

When Mr. Treat allied himself with his sons in this way, their 
mother usually yielded, and so it happened that Tom and Harry 
led their purchases to the bam for safe keeping, and Billy intro- 
duced the kids as his “twins” to all the barnyard inhabitants. 
The title clung to them, for they were as like as two peas, and as 

162 


Billy Whiskers at the Fair 

long as they lived at Cloverleaf Farm they were known far and 
wide as the “twins.” Years afterwards, when Billy Whiskers was 
old and feeble, the children of the twins, and his grandchildren by 
adoption, would clamor for a story, and Billy would relate his ad- 
ventures at the Fair just as you have read them, and would end by 
saying: 

“But those experiences do not compare with the good times I 
had with the twins at Chautauqua the next summer, — not nearly. 
However, that 


for me to tell to- 
sides, it is re- 
book written 
Whiskers’ 



is too long a tale 
day, and be- 
counted in the 
about us, “ Billy 
Twins.” 


163 





The Billy Whiskers Series 

TRADE MARK. (REGISTERED U. S. PATENT OFFICE) 


BILLY WHISKERS 


by Frances Trego Montgomery 


The biography of a goat that has been purchased for the amusement of several small 
children. The first night in his new home Billy gets into serious trouble; on the morrow 
he runs away and is appropriated by an Irish lad, to haul milk to the city; he invades a 
flat; joins the circus, but finally returns to the farm and his faithful little Nanny goat. 


BILLY WHISKERS’ KIDS 


by Frances Trego Montgomery 


Day and Night, Billy’s kids, are sold, but not liking their new quarters, are glad to be 
kidnapped by Billy and Nanny. They, too, have many adventures, none le^s/ exciting than 
those of their father, which are woven into this most readable story. 


BILLY WHISKERS, JR. 


Trego Montgomery 


Being the chronicle of the life of Night, now grown to goathood. He i A purchased 
by a Westerner and is shipped to the ranch. Soon tiring of this life, he goes to San 
Francisco, where he finds a friend in Stubby, a yellow dog, and together tfie v ^ursue 
their travels. / 


BILLY WHSKERS’ TRAVELS 


V. 


by F. G. Wheeler 


Billy is just as mischievous as ever, making more fun than heretofore. This time we 
find him abroad, and while in Paris he creates a panic in a hotel by chewing tjhe electric 
wires. He figures in a wreck at sea; encounters a tiger; but through it all, he is the 
children’s old friend Billy, whom they depend upon to furnish hours of amuseriient. 


BILLY WHISKERS AT THE CIRCUS 


by F. G. Wheeler 


For fun and adventure wtorth while, a frolicsome goat and a circus offer an enticing 
combination. So /it happens th’^the ever-mischievous, fun-loving Billy caries his depre- 
dations into Circus-Land. He no sooner glimpses the circus crowds than his antics begin— to 
attempt to recount them .would be futile, indeed. 

f / / 1 <i 


BILLY WHISKERS AT THE FAIR 


/ 


- by F. G. Wheeler 

Every boy and every girl enjoys going to the Fain and when Billy s owners hie them- 
selves to this annual county event, Billy goes along— though they d^n’t know it. He has 
more fun to the minute than most fair-goers have to the hour, sees Everything worth seeing 
and does everything worth doing./ Ms a rollicking story that will^please every young reader. 

EACH BOOK BOUND IN BOARDS, QUARTO, ILLUSTRATED IN COLORS. 


POSTPAID $1.00 


The Saalfield Publishing Co., Akron, Ohio 



The Billy Whiskers Series 

TRADE MARK. REGISTERED IN U. S. PATENT OFFICE. 


DICKY DELIGHTFUL IN RAINBOW LAND by James Ball Naylor 

Dicky is truly a delightful youngster, who ventures over Rainbow Road, to find himself 
the guest of Grandfather Gander and Grandmother Goose in the Land of the Immortals. 

Dr. Naylor knows how to please boys and girls, for the story is brimming over with 
humor, rapid movement and lively conversation. 

THE LITTLE GREEN GOBLIN - - by James Ball Naylor 

The Little Green Goblin comes from Goblinland in his tiny featherbed balloon, admin- 
isters a goblin tablet to Bob Taylor, a dissatisfied boy. The tablet shrinks him to goblin 
size, and away the two sail for Goblinland, which is the place where you db as you please. 
Upon their arrival, Bob — but to tell more would be to spoil a good story. 

WITCH CROW AND BARNEY BYLOW - by James Ball Naylor 

Barney fell to wishing down in the haylot, along came a crow and gave him a magic 
penny — he would always have that much but no more. Many strange things then hap- 
pened — things which cured Barney of that bad habit of wishing. 

SQUEAKS AND SQUAWKS FROM FAR-AWAY FORESTS 

by Burton Stoner 

“ Mr. Bull has done some remarkably good work for Squeaks and Squawks, both in 
colors and halftones. The color work is superb .” — Grand Rapids Herald. 

Charles Livingston Bull illustrates this charming book of nature stories, in which the 
animals speak for themselves. 

JIM CROW TALES by Burton Stoner 

Jim Crow was the pet of a farmer boy. He was very wise and knew all about the 
ways of the beasts and birds, and told them to his friend — the most interesting anecdotes 
of the forest folk. 

TEDDY BEARS - by Adah Louise Sutton 

“ A fanciful story of the doings of a little girl’s toys, which get into all sorts of pranks 
while people sleep. The doings of this interesting coterie form a pleasing tale for chil- 
dren .” — Pittsburg Post. 

“ Full of the brand of fun that tickles children .” — Portland Oregonian. 

A LITTLE MAID IN TOYLAND - by Adah Louise Sutton 

Eating a piece of magic cake, a little girl becomes diminutive and goes to live among 
the dollies in her doll house. One day she steps through the back door and finds herself in 
Toyland, and thereafter adventures come thick and fast. 

A CHRISTMAS WITH SANTA CLAUS, by Frances Trego Montgomery 

Santa carries two children to his home in his wonderful sleigh. They meet Mrs. 
Santa, are shown a royal good time, and then Santa brings them back when he makes his 
annual trip. 

EACH BOOK BOUND IN BOARDS, QUARTO, ILLUSTRATED IN COLORS. Postpaid for $1.00 

K 2 79 


The Saalfield Publishing Co., Akron, Ohio 
















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